154 EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS IN REVIEW

gies for Change, Price, S. and J. Sephton, 1991. From Horton Pub!., Ltd., 6 South Brook Terrace, Great Horton Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 lAB, monograph, £30.00 ISBN 1-871099-528.

Have you been considering starting a focus group to explore some area of nutri­tion behavior, but don't know where to begin? If you find yourselfin this quandary, Just Desserts? may be just the practical re­source that you need to get your research off to a good start.

Just Desserts? documents the step-by­step approach that two food and health advisors (community dietitians) in Eng­land used to conduct group interviews with 52 low-income mothers of young children. Section One discusses issues per­taining to dietary change and the rationale for using the focus group method. Section Two describes the method in detail, in­cluding the importance of pre-studies. Section Three gives a detailed report of the research findings of Price and Sephton and lists 1) the food-related issues identified by women, 2) the potential influence of these issues on food choice, 3) current food-re­lated practices, 4) food and health beliefs, 5) dietary alterations achieved and desired, and 6) motivating and facilitating factors for these alterations. The concluding dis­cussion examines traditional nutrition education methods and recommends alter­natives based on the results of the inter­views. Appendices include a discussion guide and questions used in the focus groups.

The qualitative nature of the research findings reported in the monograph limits the generalizability of the conclusions to low-income mothers in Bolton, England. Also, many of the studies mentioned in the references may be difficult for American readers to locate. In spite of these limita­tions, several of the findings suggest ave­nues for further research for nutrition educators working with low-income mothers in the United States. In addition, no matter what country one is practicing in, the report's emphasis on the impor­tance of using local research, and finding out where people are starting from bifore developing a specific nutrition education plan is valid.

This monograph is highly useful be­cause it de-mystifies the focus group method for use in nutrition assessment. The report's format also allows the reader the flexibility of extracting information from one section, or reading the entire monograph to gain an understanding of

nutrition issues facing low-income moth­ers in Bolton, England.

Arnell J. Hinkle , M .P.H., R.D., G.H.E.S., Project Coordinator, Contra Costa County Health Services Department, Prevention Program, 75 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Professional Malnutrition and Achievement: The Assessment of Nutritional Status and School Achievement of Rural Pri­mary School Children in Northern Peninsular Malaysia, Manan, W .A. and W. Muda, 1991. From Putaka Solidarit, P.O. Box 194, General P.O. Box 20720, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, monograph, $5.00 U .S.

Is nutritional status significandy related to the level of achievement in rural pri­mary school children in Malaysia? This monograph reports the results of a study designed to answer this question. During 1985-86, the study assessed whether the nutritional and social economic status (SES) of 482 rural, Northern Malaysian ten-year old children correlated with their scholarly achievement. In the study, chil­dren's nutritional status was assessed by measuring their weight, height, arm cir­cumference, tricep skinfold thickness, gum bleeding, goiter, and hemoglobin levels. Their body mass index was also calculated. Values for all were compared with standard references to assess nutritional status. The children's nutritional status was then correlated with several SES and achieve­ment variables including: 1) their school achievement as measured on two exami­nations; 2) their behavior in school as measured by "activeness" and lack of ab­sences; and 3) their socioeconomic status as measured by parents' occupation and literacy, household size and income, per capita income, and children's birth order.

The authors' findings confirm numer­ous other studies which have shown a correlation between SES, nutritional status and achievement in schoo!. The study also succeeds in documenting the serious ex­tent of malnutrition in rural Malaysia. Their concluding discussion focuses on thoughtful recommendations for reducing malnutrition in this country, including ex­panding the supplementary food program and making sure it reaches needy children, introducing nutrition education into pri­mary schools, and subsidizing the cost of basic foods so that poor households will be able to purchase an adequate diet.

This volume provides valuable data for those interested in Malaysia, rural poverty and nutrition studies. It could be a useful case study in an advanced undergraduate or graduate course on Third World hunger or nutritional methodology. There are nu­merous tables presenting the study's find­ings and the author's statistical calculations. In addition, the study contains a helpful map, a glossary defining the nutritional terms used, and a good bibliography. Un­fortunately, the text contains some mis­spellings and a few lapses in continuity between one page and the next where text is missing. These, however, are minor de­tractions from a clear and thoughtful book that adds to the growing literature docu­menting the imperative need to fight global hunger, particularly in children, without further delay.

Carole M. Counihan, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anthropology, Millersville Uni­versity, Millersville, PA 17551

HANDBOOKS

Professional Agriculture Handbook No. 8-18, Composition of Foods: Baked Prod­ucts; Raw, Processed, Prepared, United States Department of Agriculture, 1992. From The Superintendent ofDocu­ments, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9328, stock number 001-000-04584-9, $28.00

The revision of the Agriculture Handbook is complete. Section 18, Baked Products, of Handbook No.8 represents the final major revision of the food composition tables published originally in 1963 by the United States Department of Agriculture. This handbook section provides nutrient data for 405 baked products and home-use leavening agents, expanded from 135 comparable items listed in the previous edition. Baked product categories include yeast and quick breads, cakes, cookies, crackers, doughnuts and other sweet goods, pies and pie crust, and tortillas. The format for this section of the handbook is the same as the others. Each page provides a complete nutrition profile for one food item. Values are listed for proximate com­ponents (food energy, protein, fat, carbo­hydrate, water, ash); crude fiber; nine minerals; nine vitamins; individual fatty acids; total saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids; choles­terol; and 18 amino acids. An appendix

Journal of Nutrition Education Volume 2 5 Number 3

listing the total dietary fiber content of selected products is also provided. Sources of nutrient data include unpublished in­fonnation from food manufacturers, gov­ernment agencies, and research conducted under contract for the Human Nutrition Infonnation Service, as well as published data from the scientific and technical literature.

In addition to the printed version of the handbook, machine-readable tapes of the data are available from the National Tech­nical Infonnation Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161. For additional information, write to the Office if Management Sewices, Systems Support Stqff, HNIS, USDA, Room 304A, Federal Building, Hyattsville, MD 20782.

S.c.c.

CURRICULUM

Professional Looking at Body Image and Eating Disorders, Giarratano, S., 1991. From Network Pub!., A Div. of ETR Assoc., Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1830, curriculum & student workbook, $19.95.

If you work with teenagers, Looking at Body Image and Eating Disorders has the potential to be a useful tool for you in discussing with them our society's preoc­cupation with body image. Although this book is intended to be used with high school students, most of the infonnation would be appropriate and useful for middle school or junior high students as well. The author, who is a professor in teacher prepa­ration, has designed a module of six lessons that focus on body image and self-esteem, eating disorders, and sensible eating habits for adolescents. Each lesson described in the teacher curriculum guide contains ob­jectives, a lesson overview, teacher back­ground infonnation, lesson procedure, student handouts, transparency masters, and evaluation methods. The accompany­ing workbook contains each of the student handouts. The module employs a variety of instructional strategies, such as class dis­cussions, cooperative learning groups, and case studies to ensure student involvement.

This book provides accurate, age-ap­propriate infonnation about the eating dis­orders of anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Although mentioned in the introduction, there is no infonnation in the text about the problem of compulsive eating. There are many useful activities for exploring

the issues surrounding body image. The author recognizes the sensitive nature of this topic and acknowledges the important role of parents in the educational process by repeatedly encouraging students to talk to a parent or trusted adult about their concerns. Anyone working with teenagers whether in a school or non-school setting could make good use of the challenging advice contained in this book such as "De­cide how you wish to spend your energy­pursuing the perfect image or enjoying family, friends and school".

Eunice Bassler, MS, RD, Instructor, Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, Iowa State University, Ames, 14 50010

OTHER TITLES OF INTEREST

The Aisles Have It! Dairy Council of Wisconsin, 1992. From Dairy Council of Wisconsin, 999 Oakmont Plaza Drive, Westmont, IL 60559, 112" VHS video­program, for price write to your local dairy councilor 1-800-325-9121.

Beating Heart Disease in the 1990's: Col­laboration, Co-operation and Community Par­ticipation, Health Education Authority, 1992. From Health Education Authority, Hamilton House, Marbledon Place, Lon­don, WCIH 9TX, Conference Proceed­ings, £26.95

Eating Disorders and Exercise: Transferring Food Problems into a Winning Diet, Clark, N., 1992. From Nancy Clark, Nutrition Services, Sports Medicine Brookline, 830 Boylston St., Brookline, MA 02167, slide set, $129.00.

Five a Day for Better Health: A Baseline Study if American's Fruit and Vegetable Con­sumption, 1992. From the National Cancer Institute, NIH, Executive Plaza North, 6130 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852, booklet, 1 copy free .

Food Protection Report, Felix, C.N., ed., 1992. From Food Protection Report, Charles Felix Assoc., P.O. Box 1581, Leesburg, VA 22075, monthly report, $135.00/yr.

Food Safety for Prifessionals: A Riference and Study Guide, Cody, M.M. and M . Keith, 1991. From American Dietetic As­sociation, 216 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 101 pp., spiral-bound. ISBN 0-88091-091-7.

The Habit Control Workbook, Birkedahl, N., 1990. From New Harbinger Pub!., 5674 Shattuck Ave., Oakland, CA 94609,

May. June 1993 155

212 pp ., softcover, $12.95 . ISBN 0-934986-98-3.

Handbook if Clinical Dietetics, 2nd Ed., The American Dietetic Association, 1992. From Yale University Press, 92 A Jole Station, New Haven, CT 06520, 588 pp., softcover. ISBN 0-300-05218-9.

Handle with Care: Preventing Food Borne fllness in Nursing Homes , 1992. From The National Technical Infonnation Services, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161, audiovisual program, $39.00 plus $3.00 S/ H.

The Health and Fitness Club Leader's Guide: Administering a Weight Management Program, Anderson, R., K. Brownell and W . Haskell, 1992. From the LEARN Edu­cation Center, 1555 W. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 203, Dallas, TX 75235, 217 pp., softcover, $29.95. ISBN 1-878513-06-0.

Health Issues in the Black Community, Braithwaite, R . and S. Taylor, eds., 1992. From Josey-Bass, Inc., P.O. Box 44305, San Francisco, CA 94144-4305, 364 pp. , hardcover, $39.95. ISBN 1-55542-477-5.

Health Risks if Obesity, 1993 Special Report, Berg, F., 1993. From Obesity & Health, 402 South 14th St., Hettinger, ND 58639, 130 pp., report, $29.95.

How on Earth! Teens Supporting Compas­sionate, Ecologically Sound Uving, Clinton, S., Coordinator, 1992. From Vegetarian Education Network, P. o . Box 3347, West Chester, PA 19381, quarterly news­letter, $12.00 ($10.00 for teens)/yr.

Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Ther­apy, 8th Ed., Mahan, L.K., and M. Arlin, 1992. From W.B. Saunders, Co., The Curtis Center, Independence Square West, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3399,976 pp., hardcover, $47.95. ISBN 0-7216-5508-4.

New Hawaii Hawest: Stories if Foods, Gardens and Cultures on the Island if Oaho, Lafler, J., 1992. From J. Lafler, 2742 Puuhonua St., Honolulu, HI 96822, 112" VHS videocassette, 28 minutes, $15.00 plus $3.00 S/H.

CHILDREN AND NUTRITION: TITLES OF

SPECIAL INTEREST

Delicious Decisions: Food Choices to Grow On!, 1992. From the Dairy Council of Wisconsin, 999 Oakmont Plaza Drive, Westmont, IL 60559, curriculum k-9, call 1-800-325-9121 for price.