Effect of School-Based Nutrition Intervention on Food Label Related Knowledge and Practices of Children and Their Parents

Abstract

Background:Knowledge and practices of individuals regarding nutrition, affects their food choices and intake, which in turn determines their health and wellbeing. Consumption of convenience/junk food is highly prevalent among young children, leading them towards chronic health issues. Food label reading needs to be promoted, among the society so that better, conscious food choices can be made.

Aim:Assessing the effect of nutrition intervention on food label related knowledge and practices of school children and their parents.

Methodology: In this experimental-control study, 240 students (10-12 years) along with their parents, from two schools were enrolled for the study based on purposive random sampling, and were divided into experimental (n=121) and control (n=125) groups. Using a structured questionnaire pre data was collected after which, experimental group was given an interactive nutrition intervention for a period of 3 months, and post data was collected. Data was analysed using SPSS 23 software and Microsoft excel.

Results and Conclusion:Consumption of packaged snacks (1-2/day) reduced by 14.9% in experimental group. Post 4 months of intervention,awareness regarding food labels improved in children of experimental (87.6%) and control (3.2%) group. Increment of 10.7% in experimental and 4% in control group was seen among kids who always read labels. Knowledge increase was also seen in other parameters. Post intervention, an increase of 17.3% and 3.2% was seen in parental habit of always reading labels. Parents mostly paid attention to expiry date, price and vegetarian/non vegetarian symbol. Nutrition intervention was successful in bringing about the desirable changes.