Effect of a school-based intervention in eating habits among school children: quasi experimental study, Tunisia

Abstract

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to assess whether six months intervention program with parents' implication in primary schools is able to decrease morning snack consumption among children aged 6–12 years. Methods We carried out a quasi-experimental study with two groups of schoolchildren in the region of Sousse (Tunisia) from 2015 to 2016. One primary school in each group was selected. In each school, we randomly selected a sample size of schoolchildren and their parents. The intervention was based on healthy eating habits promotion. Results The consumption of morning snacks the day before data collection, reported by children, decreased significantly in post-intervention in both intervention and control groups. The decrease of consumption of morning snacks was significantly higher in intervention group (p=0.009). According to parents, the proportion of children who had the habit of eating morning snack decreased significantly from pre to post-intervention in intervention group (p<0.001). Conclusion A healthy environment should be created through effective school policies to prevent obesity.