THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH KNOWLEDGE IN LOW-INCOME MEXICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN

Children growing up in poverty are at risk for various health problems . For low-income, Mexican-American children, these risks include obesi ty, diabetes, and accidental injuries, 3 conditions that can largely b e prevented by healthy life-styles. Despite the potential for preventi on through education leading to health-promoting behaviors, very littl e is known about the development of health knowledge in this populatio n. The present study examined low-income, Mexican-American children's understanding of the relation between health behavior and health statu s in 3 areas: nutrition, hygiene, and safety. 79 children (41 boys, 38 girls) ages 4 to 8 years participated. Children's knowledge was asses sed in a structured play situation conducted in a laboratory setting. Results revealed that children knew the least about the relation betwe en food consumption and their health, and knew the most about benefici al and harmful practices in the areas of safety and hygiene. Age and g ender differences were also significant, with girls and older children more likely to provide. elaborate and complex rationales for their re sponses. Implications of the findings for understanding the role of co gnitive development and experience in the development of health knowle dge are considered.