BeKi – an initiative for nutrition education in children in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg: description, experiences, and considerations for an evaluation framework

Abstract

To present the State Initiative BeKi (from Bewusste Kinderernährung, conscious child nutrition; formerly: "program Nutrition Education with Children"), carried out statewide by the Baden-Wurttemberg Ministry for Nutrition/Food and Rural Area since 1980. The mission of BeKi is the improvement of nutritional knowledge, nutritional behaviour, and nutrition situation of children. The program description considers the most important evaluation criteria for health promotion programs, including practical experience and an evaluation concept. Currently comprehensive evaluation is carried out according to the RE-AIM Model for health promotion programs which assesses the public health impact in regard of individual and institutional reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. BeKi addresses all target groups involved in the upbringing and education of children from age six months up to the end of the 6th grade and provides factual, validated, and independent information on child nutrition and nutrition education. Physiological, educational, and social aspects of food and nutrition are given equal importance. Core component of BeKi are the services of more than 250 BeKi-trained child nutrition experts. Previous experience and first evaluation results confirm that BeKi is creative, committed, cost-efficient and widely-used.