Eric J Vargas1, Robert Zelis2. 1. College of Medicine, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA. 2. Lipid Clinic, Heart and Vascular Institute, College of Medicine, Penn State University, 500 University Drive, H047, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA. Electronic address: rzelis@hmc.psu.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Survey of medical curricula continues to show that nutrition education is not universally adequate. One measure of nutritional educational competence is a positive change in student eating habits. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether integrating nutrition education within the second-year cardiovascular course for medical students, using the "Rate Your Plate" (RYP) questionnaire, coupled with knowledge of student personal 30-year risk of a cardiovascular event was useful in changing students' eating behaviors. METHODS: Thirty-two students completed an unpublished 24-item questionnaire (modified-RYP) about their eating habits in the spring of their first year. The same students then completed the questionnaire in the spring of their second year. Paired t test was used to analyze the difference in RYP scores. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for the Framingham 30-year cardiovascular event risk and change in RYP score to examine whether risk knowledge may have changed eating habits. RESULTS: Mean scores at baseline and 1 year later were 57.19 and 58.97, respectively (paired t test, P < .01). Correlation coefficient between 30-year relative risk, adjusted for family history, and change in RYP score was -0.322. CONCLUSION: Although medical students were eating healthy at baseline, integration of nutrition education within the second-year cardiovascular medical curriculum was associated with improved heart healthy eating habits. Because student attitudes about prevention counseling are influenced by personal eating habits, this suggests that students with a more healthy diet will be more likely to recommend the same for their patients.
BACKGROUND: Survey of medical curricula continues to show that nutrition education is not universally adequate. One measure of nutritional educational competence is a positive change in student eating habits. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether integrating nutrition education within the second-year cardiovascular course for medical students, using the "Rate Your Plate" (RYP) questionnaire, coupled with knowledge of student personal 30-year risk of a cardiovascular event was useful in changing students' eating behaviors. METHODS: Thirty-two students completed an unpublished 24-item questionnaire (modified-RYP) about their eating habits in the spring of their first year. The same students then completed the questionnaire in the spring of their second year. Paired t test was used to analyze the difference in RYP scores. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for the Framingham 30-year cardiovascular event risk and change in RYP score to examine whether risk knowledge may have changed eating habits. RESULTS: Mean scores at baseline and 1 year later were 57.19 and 58.97, respectively (paired t test, P < .01). Correlation coefficient between 30-year relative risk, adjusted for family history, and change in RYP score was -0.322. CONCLUSION: Although medical students were eating healthy at baseline, integration of nutrition education within the second-year cardiovascular medical curriculum was associated with improved heart healthy eating habits. Because student attitudes about prevention counseling are influenced by personal eating habits, this suggests that students with a more healthy diet will be more likely to recommend the same for their patients.
Authors: Elizabeth Pegg Frates; Ryan C Xiao; Deepa Sannidhi; Yasamina McBride; Tracie McCargo; Theodore A Stern Journal: JMIR Med Educ Date: 2017-09-11