3RD 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 signi ficantly higher on the knowledge subscale than did African American ch ildren, but they did not differ in attitudes. Females had significantl y higher scores on the attitude subscale than did males, but they did not differ in knowledge. There was a significant interaction of sex an d race on the health behavior subscale. White females had the highest health behavior score followed by African American males, African Amer ican females, and white males. Those with more health knowledge report ed significantly more positive attitudes and healthy behaviors.