An After-School Cultural and Age-Sensitive Nutrition Education Intervention for Elementary Schoolchildren

Abstract

Eating a balanced and diversified diet can benefit children's growth, health, and development through providing essential nutrients. 1 Diet, nutrition and chronic diseases in context. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/trs916/download/en/. Accessed February 10, 2017. Google Scholar In contrast, unbalanced and undiversified diets can lead to inadequate intake of essential nutrients, which may lead to developmental and health-related problems such as growth retardation, poor academic performance, and obesity and its related immediate and delayed health complications. 1 Diet, nutrition and chronic diseases in context. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/trs916/download/en/. Accessed February 10, 2017. Google Scholar Despite the importance of eating balanced diets to health and well-being, 1 Diet, nutrition and chronic diseases in context. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/trs916/download/en/. Accessed February 10, 2017. Google Scholar a high proportion of children in the US have a low consumption of recommended nutrient-rich food groups and high consumption of energy-dense foods from fats and added sugars. 2 Usual dietary intakes: food intakes, US population, 2007–10. National Cancer Institute. http://appliedresearch.cancer.gov/diet/usualintakes/pop/2007-10/#findings. Accessed March 31, 2017. Google Scholar , 3 Kreb-Smith S.M. Guenther P.M. Subar A.F. Kirkpatric S.I. Dodd K.W. Americans do not meet federal dietary recommendations. J Nutr. 2010; 140: 1832-1838 Crossref PubMed Scopus (520) Google Scholar It is possible that children may not have sufficient nutrition knowledge to make healthy choices and skills to prepare food or understand food labels in an effort to practice healthy eating. 4 Naeeni M.M. Jafari S. Fouladgar M. et al. Nutritional knowledge, practice, and dietary habits among school children and adolescents. Int J Prev Med. 2014; 5: S171-S178 Crossref PubMed Scopus (38) Google Scholar Moreover, studies have shown that dietary intake during childhood and adolescence can establish dietary behaviors and habits that track through adulthood. 5 Craigie A.M. Lake A.A. Kelly S.A. Adamson A.J. Mathers J.C. Tracking of obesity-related behaviors from childhood to adulthood: a systematic review. Maturitas. 2011; 70: 266-284 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (654) Google Scholar Therefore, to prevent obesity and its negative effects on health during adulthood, it is vital to establish healthful dietary behaviors during childhood.