The effect of sustainable food literacy education on primary school nutrition attitudes and behaviours

Year 2024, , 29 - 34, 08.07.2024

Mutlu Tuçe Ülker , Funda Elmacioglu , Hafize Sema Büyükateş Aysu Özdemir Halime Kuşçu Sümeyye Nur Gündüz

https://doi.org/10.58625/jfng-2472

Abstract

Permanent habits are acquired during childhood. Nutritional behaviors acquired during this period persist throughout life. Nutrition education in schools can raise awareness about ade-quate and balanced nutrition and sustainable food sources that preserve the environment. Two primary schools with similar socioeconomic status in Istanbul were selected for the study. One received a 10-week sustainable nutrition education that included education on comprehensive nutrition; the other while the received no intervention (the control group). Evaluations before and after the intervention revealed the changes in the nutritional knowledge of the students. The overall effectiveness of the nutrition education was assessed after the intervention.158 students participated to the study. A significant difference occurred before and after the in-tervention in the nutritional behaviors and attitudes of the students (p<0.05). The mean Nutri-tion Behavior and Nutrition Attitude Scale scores of the students in the intervention group were higher after the intervention than they were before. There was no significant difference in the pretest and posttest scale scores of the control group. Nutrition education can help chil-dren make nutritional choices that support lifelong healthy habits and contribute to reduction in future government health expenditures.

Keywords

nutrition education, adequate-balanced nutrition, sustainable nutrition, nutrition behaviours

Ethical Statement

The research was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, ethics committee approval was obtained from Istinye University Social Human Ethics Committee on 16.02.2023 with meeting number 23/02 and decision number 22, and informed consent was obtained from each participant.

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK played a role in the collection and analysis of the study data by providing funding.

Project Number

1919B012216658

Thanks

We would like to thank the principal of Zeytinburnu Şehit Ömer Cankatar Primary School and Bayrampaşa Hacı İlbey Primary School.

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