Impact of family-based nutrition education intervention program on eating habit among obese school age children in Rania city / Iraq

Abstract

Background and objectives: Childhood obesity nowadays is a main health issue and growing disease that has become a global major public health concern. The children obesity can be decreased by changing eating habits. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of family-based nutrition education intervention program on eating habit among obese children in Rania city. Methodology: A quantitative design, quasi-experimental study was conducted in Rania city. Purposive samples of 47 obese school children with their parents were comprised. Participants were divided into intervention and control groups. Nutrition education program was. Mediterranean Diet Quality Index questionnaire was used to assess participant’s adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Student t-test was used to compare between two means and paired t-test to test a group at twice (at pre and post-test). Results: The findings revealed that, 55% of obese children were male. The highest level of obese children (29.8%) were 10-years old. Primary school education was the highest level of education of both parents. The majority of families, 85.1% were within barely sufficient economic status. Among obese children, 63.8% of them were poorly adhere to the healthy Mediterranean Diet.