Differences among behavioral styles as related to the use of the CSU diet guide for planning prudent diets

The CSU Diet Guide for Planning Prudent Diets (Diet Guide) is a nutrient-based tool which can help people choose nutritionally adequate diets and reduce their nutritional risk factors for chronic diseases. One of the challenges facing nutrition educators is which nutrition education tool is most appropriate for which person. The Personal Profile System classifies people according to behavioral styles and has been used to predict success in classroom situations. This study was conducted to determine whether the Personal Profile System could predict which persons would properly use the Diet Guide and to determine the differences among behavioral styles in their planning and consuming prudent diets.; A four-week educational program including materials was developed to teach people how to use the Diet Guide to adopt prudent food habits. Study instruments included the Personal Profile System and the Diet Guide. Use of the Diet Guide and achievement of prudent diet goals were determined by scoring the worksheets participants handed in on weeks #3 and #4. Each worksheet reflected the subjects' food intake for that day.; One hundred seven women were included in the study analysis. Measures of use and achievement of prudent diet goals produced a wide distribution of scores with subjects either using the Diet Guide or not using it at all. Age, body weight, education and behavioral style had no significant effect on use or achievement scores.; The study results indicate there is only a minimal relationship between use of the Diet Guide and behavioral style. Its predictive value for other types of classes using the Diet Guide is yet to be determined.