Nutrition knowledge of physically handicapped and non-handicapped college students

Nutrition knowledge of physically handicapped college students and non-handicapped college students was investigated using a questionnaire. The sample population included 40 students enrolled at California State University, Northridge. Of the 40 college students in the sample population, 20 were physically handicapped and 20 were non-handicapped. Neither sex nor the number of previous biology classes taken had an effect on nutrition questionnaire scores. Since only one student had completed a nutrition class, no correlation could be made. However, there was a significant difference in nutrition knowledge between the handicapped and non-handicapped students using chi-square analysis. Among the physically handicapped college students, 15 per cent knew what RDA stood for. A total of 75 per cent knew that ascorbic acid was vitamin C. A total of 45 per cent falsely believed that supplements of natural vitamins are better than supplements of synthetic vitamins. In contrast, only 30 per cent of the non-handicapped college students knew what RDA stood for. Only 40 per cent knew that ascorbic acid was vitamin C. A vast majority (70 per cent) falsely believed that supplements of natural vitamins are better than supplements of synthetic vitamins.