The Importance of Different Knowledge Types in Health-Related Decisions—The Example of Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs, e.g., type 2 diabetes) are a burden to humanity and hence addressed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (target 3.4). One way of tackling NCDs is by health education as part of science education. Yet, the role of knowledge for health-promoting actions, and thus, the role of science teaching in health education, is not sufficiently clarified. Therefore, the author proposes to differentiate three knowledge types: System Health Knowledge (SK), Action-related Health Knowledge (AK), and Effectiveness Health Knowledge (EK). Accordingly, we designed a questionnaire that asked students to evaluate different questions about sugar consumption and type 2 diabetes according to their relevance for deciding their future sugar consumption. We found that students considered all questions as rather important (3-4.3, out of 5) with an assigned mean importance for SK with a mean of 3.8, for AK with a mean of 4.0, and for EK with a mean of 3.9. This research indicates that knowledge is important for decision-making and that all three types of knowledge should be recognized in health education.Sustainability 2020, 12, 3396 2 of 12 sugar (e.g., in sugar-sweetened beverages [7]) and alcohol. On the one hand, the reasons for these behaviors are conditioned by the environment or setting and socioeconomic status. On the other hand, individual motivational factors (e.g., attitudes, needs, values) and, in many places, the role of knowledge, are discussed as potential causes for (un)healthy behavior [8] (Figure 1). Sustainability 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 12 factors (e.g., attitudes, needs, values) and, in many places, the role of knowledge, are discussed as potential causes for (un)healthy behavior [8] (Figure 1).

Games and Health Education for Diabetes Control: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

“…Several authors affirm that the integration of technology-based exercise programs can have a positive effect on the adherence of the diabetic patient, since they produce an increase in enjoyment and make it easier to perform these programs [ 49 , 50 ]. Patients think that everything is important and these applications help them make decisions [ 51 ]. The use of these methods encourages the user to carry out physical activity, producing favorable results in the medium–long term and leading to an improvement in balance or flexibility [ 52 ] as well as an improvement at a psychological level, reducing the levels of depression [ 53 , 54 ].…”

Determinants of Science Teachers’ Healthy Eating Behaviors: Combining Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behavior

“…Health education has been increasingly significant context for science education (Zeyer & Dillon, 2014) and accepted as fundamental dimension of scientific literacy (Zeyer & Kyburz-Graber, 2012) since health is intimately connected with human lives (Cruz, 2009). In addition, health topics occupy an important place in science education, as scientific facts and principles are very important in understanding biological systems (Arnold, 2020). Moreover, science educators advocate that the necessary education should be given at the school in order to create awareness in students against misleading information about health-related behaviors such as healthy eating (Fine et al, 2013).…”

“…Attempts have been made to link health issues with science education, socio scientific issue and decision-making process in science curricula in several countries (e.g., the Australian Curriculum for Science in Australia (ACARA), 2013; Turkish Middle School Science Curriculum, 2018). In addition, in the last decade, some attempts have been done to explain the importance of this relationship (e.g., Arnold, 2018Arnold, , 2020Zeyer & Dillon, 2014). For example, a book called "Science | Environment | Health: Towards a Renewed Pedagogy" was published in 2012 to provide well-grounded perspectives on how science education can take advantage of the challenges of health education (Zeyer & Kyburz-Graber, ISSN 1648-3898 /Print/ ISSN 2538-7138 /Online/ 2012).…”