Can nutrition education in primary school students affect dietary habits?

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COD: NF3-2016-Mohajeri Categoria:

DOI 10.17470/NF-016-1039-3

Masha Mohajeri, Sepideh Sepahi, Ali Nemati, Farideh Iranpour

Objective: To investigate the impact of school nutrition education on children’s dietary habits in Ardabil, Iran.

Design: A 12-week intervention with nutrition education was conducted in three primary schools in Ardabil. A total of 600 female students in grades 4 and 5 (10–12 years old) were enrolled in the study and divided into an intervention group and a control group. Dietary data were recorded in a food diary and the amount of different types of food consumed was noted. Data were analysed using independent and paired t-tests, and Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests.

Results: The children in the intervention group reported significantly (p≤0.05) increased consumption of fruit, vegetables and dairy products following education: the mean±SD number of servings of fruit and vegetables after education was 3.2±0.02 and 1.02±0.03, respectively,i n the intervention group. The consumption of chips and sugar-sweetened drinks was significantly (p≤0.05) decreased in intervention group children, while the consumption of oily seeds was significantly (p=0.042) increased. There was a significant difference in the diet diversity score of the intervention group (p=0.032) which had a mean±SD diet diversity score of 5±0.06 groups/day. Nutrition education can affect dietary habits, such as the consumption of fruit, vegetables and dairy products, and can improve diet diversity in school students.


Can nutrition education in primary school students affect dietary habits?
Figura 1

Ocimum centraliafricanum, Copper flower, indicatore di giacimenti di rame (5)