Impact of Maternal Nutrition Education on Dietary Practices of School Going Children (3-6 years of age)

Abstract

Nutrition (Nutritional) education is a kind of education that is important to improve the health status of people. School children are undergoing rapid mental and physical development. Therefore, an appropriate diet is critical throughout this stage of life to ensure normal and healthy growth. As a result, nutrition education should begin at a young age for children Objective: To evaluate the impact of nutrition education of mothers on the dietary habits of school-going children aged 3-6 years Methods: A Quasi-Experimental study was executed on 77 children of class playgroup to class 1 studying in the Government girl’s school of Garhi Shahu, Lahore. Firstly, anthropometric data were collected through the children and secondly socio-demographic and dietary knowledge of mothers of selected children were noted through pre-designed questionnaires and interview method. The mothers were then given 45 minutes of nutrition education and a dietary change course, and some informative dietary guidelines leaflets and a weekly healthy kid’s school lunch planner were given to the mothers which they were requested to implement in the daily routine of children. After three months again the anthropometrics and questionnaires were assessed and compared with the initial findings Results: After nutrition education, the percentage of children who followed the servings of healthy food groups and avoided consumption of harmful meals (fast, fried, processed foods), unhealthy beverages (carbonated drinks), and intake of fruits and vegetables increased dramatically. After the intervention, the percentage of children who followed recommended nutritional, lifestyle, and physical activity guidelines, as well as healthy school lunch practices, improved statistically significantly (P<0.005). The percentage of children who skipped meals on daily basis was 20% decreased to 8%. Before the intervention, 63% of mothers say that their children consumed breakfast regularly and after the intervention, it increases to 75%. The children's anthropometric status improved significantly, with a P<0.005 significance level Conclusions: In this study, nutrition education had a significant impact on the school-going children in their anthropometry measurements, healthy school lunch boxes, and awareness of their mothers about healthy eating practices. Seminars and camps should be arranged in schools to educate the mothers and the students at a young age regarding their health and healthy eating to reduce the nutritional deficiencies and diseases