Although most students, parents and teachers recognize nutrition education as an important endeavor in improving an individual's health status, nutrition education is sometimes incorporated at a minimal level. The importance of nutrition education not only results in gains in knowledge, but also helps develop desirable attitudes and food behaviors conducive to long term disease prevention and healthy lifestyles. Children must be provided with the knowledge and decision making skills which enable them to make wise food choices. It is apparent that a cancer prevention program would be beneficial in this area of rural, southern Illinois. While not many subjects had tried smoking, those that had did so at a young age.
Potential dangers exist from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke.
Moreover, although the knowledge test indicated that subjects selected the healthy answers to questions about nutrition and sun protection, they exhibited less than desirable behaviors in these areas. This project was supported in part by the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division and Southern Illinois Healthcare . Other project participants included staff from the Jackson County Health Department , the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office , St. Joseph's Memorial Hospital and Jackson County schools .