The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine the relationship between participants' health orientations and their nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and behavior before participation in the Red Cross nutrition course, Better Eating for Better Health, (2) to determine whether the differences between participants' pretest and posttest scores for nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and behavior were significant and positive, (3) to determine whether participant:s pretest scores for nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and behavior were significantly and negatively rela-r.ed to their respective change scores, and, (4) to determine whether participants' nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and behavior change scores can be predicted on the basis of their health orientations. A pretest-posttest design was used. A health orientations instrument consisted of three scales: health behavior, health locus of control, and health incentives. Participants' health orientations were assessed before participation in the course. Pre- and posttest measures were taken of the nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and behavior of the participants. The age, level of household income, and number of years of education of participants were used as control variables. Results indicated that health locus of control and income was positively and significantly related to pretest nutrition knowledge. All three health orientations variables were significantly and positively associated to pretest nutrition beliefs. Positive health behavior, positive health incentives and age were significantly and positively correlated with pretest nutrition behavior. Significant and positive differences were observed between the pre- and posttest scores for nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and behavior. Pretest scores for nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and behavior were significantly and negatively related to the respective change scores. Health locus of control, age, and income were significant predictors of nutrition beliefs change scores. Collectively, the predictor and control variables accounted for 52 percent of the variation in nutrition beliefs change scores. Health behavior and income were significant predictors of nutrition behavior change scores. The joint effect of the predictor and control variables accounted for 53 percent of the variation in nutrition behavior change scores. / Ph. D.