Abstract
BackgroundSince the risk of noncommunicable diseases is closely associated with dietary intake, it is important to establish healthy dietary habits in childhood. Although several dietary education programs for children have been attempted, their implementation at school was often difficult due to overcrowded study curricula. We developed a new program which included homework for children and guardians, and evaluated its effect. Determinants of the effect were also investigated.MethodsThe school-based nutrition education program including a 45-min lecture, a series of homework assignments involving children and guardians, and two handouts was implemented in 14 public primary schools in Japan. Seven schools each underwent the intervention in an alternating manner. Nutrition knowledge (percentage (%) of correct answers in the nutrition knowledge questionnaire) and attitude/behavior toward diet was evaluated three times (May (baseline), October, February) as outcomes. These factors and their changes following the intervention were assessed by linear mixed models to adjust for individual factors, with consideration to clustering of the participants and repeated measurements.ResultsIn total, 2227 children aged 10–12 years and their guardians participated. All schools completed the program. Children’s nutrition knowledge level was significantly increased (8.7%, 95% confidence interval [7.7–9.7]) following the intervention. Communication between children and their guardians, which was positively related with nutrition knowledge, was facilitated by the intervention. The increase in nutrition knowledge was greater among children with a lower knowledge level at baseline.ConclusionsThis school-based nutrition education program was effective and feasible. Appropriate teaching materials for homework can reduce the burden on schools and facilitate communication between children and guardians. Public schools can be crucial venues for decreasing disparities in nutrition knowledge.Trial registrationThis study was registered as an intervention study in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (trial ID: UMIN000029252) on Sep 22, 2017.
Highlights
Recognizing the close association of dietary habits with risk of noncommunicable diseases [1], several dietary education programs to improve diet quality have been established and evaluated, in children
We and others have speculated that this disparity might be decreased by implementing nutrition education in public schools, given that most children (98.8% of primary school children in 2018 [8]) are enrolled and can be educated in the same way
We developed a new nutrition education program for Japanese primary school children which teaches about nutrition and its health effects to prevent future noncommunicable diseases, such as hypertension or cardiovascular disease, with nutrition teachers working in a prefecture in the Kanto area, Japan
Summary
Recognizing the close association of dietary habits with risk of noncommunicable diseases [1], several dietary education programs to improve diet quality have been established and evaluated, in children. The study curriculum at school is already overcrowded, and any attempt to establish an efficient nutrition education program must be done with minimum burden on schools [2]. We developed a new nutrition education program for Japanese primary school children which teaches about nutrition and its health effects to prevent future noncommunicable diseases, such as hypertension or cardiovascular disease, with nutrition teachers working in a prefecture in the Kanto area (central part of the main island), Japan. Several dietary education programs for children have been attempted, their implementation at school was often difficult due to overcrowded study curricula. We developed a new program which included homework for children and guardians, and evaluated its effect.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
