The Importance of Food and Nutritional Education

One of the most relevant topics of home economics education to today’s social climate is food science and nutrition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of obesity among children and adolescents has tripled over the past twenty years and is considered an epidemic . Also, with  pressures coming from the media and other sources, adolescents are also very susceptible to negative body image and are at risk of developing eating disorders. Considering how common food and nutritional related health problems have become among the  youth, it seems critical that formal education covering healthy dietary choices be a part of every student’s lesson plan. Home economics programs allow students to gain access to this essential information. Learning about healthy nutritional practices has several positive implications for a student’s physical well being. Studies have shown that food habits learned at an early age are hard to influence and change . Without proper nutritional guidance, children are susceptible towards falling into long lasting poor eating habits that may lead to a number of health risks, including childhood obesity. Obesity not only has harmful affects on one’s personal health, but can also cause emotional stress, especially among children and adolescents. However, school programs designed to educate and encourage children to make wise eating choices can help alleviate the prevalence of obesity. And according to one study, the earlier individuals are exposed to certain practices, the more likely they’ll consider them a permanent aspect of their behavior . Possessing knowledge about food and its nutritional content is valuable at any age As well as understanding how the over-consumption of food can lead to health risks, students in home economics courses are taught about the under-consumption of foods and other eating disorders. Because of their increasing self-image insecurities that stem from physical body changes during puberty, adolescents are highly concerned with their weight, and in turn, food intake. Many adolescents, especially girls, feel the only way to deal with the increased pressures of being thin is to limit their caloric intake. However, this means of restrictive eating is extremely detrimental to a person’s health as a lack of nutrients and energy makes it impossible for normal bodily function . Studies have shown that one way to help prevent eating disorders is to educate children about the importance of eating healthy during their adolescent years, and that more of these preventative programs should be in existence . This is why home economics programs in schools are seen as indispensable by many educators. They not only provide students with an understanding of our basic nutritional needs for survival, but also help to prevent harmful dietary practices that affect such a large number of youth today.