Abstract

LIC. GONZALEZ, Verónica Beatriz et al. Evaluation of level of knowledge about food and healthy habits acquired through a food and nutritional education program aimed at school-age children in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Diaeta [online]. 2021, vol.39, n.174, pp.32-38. ISSN 1852-7337.

Introduction: food and nutrition education at school is a valuable tool for health promotion and some studies show its effectiveness in improving the population’s knowledge, attitudes and behavior. The objective of this work was to evaluate the level of knowledge schoolchildren had upon the contents addressed in a food and nutrition education program in state-run schools of the City of Buenos Aires.

Material and methods: a self-administered questionnaire of 15 questions was developed including healthy eating, characteristics of an adequate breakfast, physical activity, hydration and notions about the consumption of fruits and vegetables. It was administered in a randomized sample of girls and boys from 14 state primary schools, before starting the educational intervention and after 2 years; between April 2016 and November 2017. 220 6th grade girls and boys were included, and 191 of them completed the questionnaire a second time.

Results: the percentage of children who answered correctly increased between the first and second measurements in 13 of the 15 items, although the difference was statistically significant in only 4. The final average score was slightly higher than the initial one (0.88 points), and the difference reached statistical significance for all schoolchildren, for both genders, and in 2 school districts.

Conclusion: The results of the evaluation show a small but significant change in the level of knowledge about food and healthy habits of school girls and boys. Although this is one of the many factors that influence food decisions, it is important that the necessary tools are provided from the school environment so that individuals are aware of such choices.

Keywords : knowledge; food and nutrition education; evaluation of health programs and projects; health promotion; school-age children..

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