Evaluation Study on the Use and Benefit of Three Dimensional Food Pyramids in Nutritional Education and Advice

Ulrike Johannsen, Ines Heindl, Dana Niemann, Flensburg; Christel Rademacher, Mönchengladbach; Helmut Oberritter, Bonn

In advisory and educational work, training models are used to communicate reference values for nutrient intake in everyday situations. These translate recommendations for nutrient intake to the level of foods. The German Society for Nutrition has developed a three dimensional food pyramid model for Germany.

The benefits, strengths and weaknesses of this model have been evaluated in the Department of Nutrition and Consumer Education in Flensburg University. It may be concluded that the three dimensional food pyramid is popular with opinion leaders. The students surveyed reacted more positively than nutritional experts. The simplicity and easy handling of the model were regarded favourably, as were the close connection with the developed materials and the coupling to quantity and quality.

Nevertheless, some subjects failed to understand the latter point. As a consequence, we cannot recommend that this model should be used for a wide variety of target groups – as desired by its authors -, unless additional materials are supplied. The study participants recommend that the model should be more specifically designed for target groups. Most opinion leaders consider that the model could then be used for pupils at secondary levels I and II, as well as for adult education.

Keywords: Food pyramid, evaluation, nutritional education, nutritional advice

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