The purpose of this study was to assess pre-service teachers' health behaviors and their perceptions of changing those behaviors once they are working in the professional world. The researchers developed a survey that asked about current health behaviors regarding personal behaviors, tobacco/alcohol and other drugs, nutrition, physical activity and sexuality. Questions were also asked whether they saw their behaviors changing after they graduate.
Surveys were distributed by pre-service “block” course professors at a Central Texas University during the spring 2007 semester. Students anonymously completed the survey instrument and the surveys were returned via campus mail. There were 6 sections of the block offered and 123 students were enrolled in the courses. The response rate was 94%.
This presentation will include data on: a) the current health behaviors of pre-service teachers; b) a comparison of behaviors for students seeking primary certification in health or physical education and other certification areas; and c) the intention of pre-service teachers to change their health behaviors after they graduate.
It was found that a majority of all of the pre-service teachers are participating in healthy behaviors: 72% have never smoked, 71% have exercised and 65% have dieted to maintain or change their weight and 96% almost always or always wear their seatbelt. One area of health behaviors that showed riskier habits across all certification areas was in alcohol use: 22% had participated in binge drinking over the last month. Students seeking certification in health or physical education were more likely to engage in physical activity and on a consistent basis: 89% participate in heavy exercise at least 2 days a week and 54% participate in light exercise at least 4 days a week. Overall, pre-service students did not see their health behaviors changing after graduation and upon entering the workforce.
The results from this study have implications for university level students and professionals. It shows the importance of integrating health concepts across the curriculum in K-16 settings. For pre-service teachers, this study's findings can also send a message about what type of behavior they are role modeling to youth while they are enrolled in their pre-service courses, student teaching and once they enter the classroom as a teacher.