Third grade students' general health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors

This investigation identified general health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of third graders. Third graders (N=677) from a Midwestern, urban district completed a 51-item survey. White children scored significantly higher on the knowledge subscale than did African American children, but they did not differ in attitudes. Females had significantly higher scores on the attitude subscale than did males, but they did not differ in knowledge. There was a significant interaction of sex and race on the health behavior subscale. White females had the highest health behavior score followed by African American males, African American females, and white males. Those with more health knowledge reported significantly more positive attitudes and healthy behaviors.