A novel school-based intervention to improve nutrition knowledge in children: cluster randomised controlled trial
Autor: | Ong Ken K; Sharp Stephen J; Lakshman Rajalakshmi R; Forouhi Nita G |
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Sprache: | Englisch |
Veröffentlicht: |
2010 |
Quelle: | Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
Online Zugang: |
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/123 https://doaj.org/toc/1471-2458 doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-123 1471-2458 https://doaj.org/article/8224757da8714882827bc29501bf8d73 https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-10-123 https://doaj.org/article/8224757da8714882827bc29501bf8d73 |
Erfassungsnummer: | ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:8224757da8714882827bc29501bf8d73 |
Zusammenfassung
Abstract Background Improving nutrition knowledge among children may help them to make healthier food choices. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a novel educational intervention to increase nutrition knowledge among primary school children. Methods We developed a card game 'Top Grub' and a 'healthy eating' curriculum for use in primary schools. Thirty-eight state primary schools comprising 2519 children in years 5 and 6 (aged 9-11 years) were recruited in a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial. The main outcome measures were change in nutrition knowledge scores, attitudes to healthy eating and acceptability of the intervention by children and teachers. Results Twelve intervention and 13 control schools (comprising 1133 children) completed the trial. The main reason for non-completion was time pressure of the school curriculum. Mean total nutrition knowledge score increased by 1.1 in intervention (baseline to follow-up: 28.3 to 29.2) and 0.3 in control schools (27.3 to 27.6). Total nutrition knowledge score at follow-up, adjusted for baseline score, deprivation, and school size, was higher in intervention than in control schools (mean difference = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.05 to 2.16; p = 0.042). At follow-up, more children in the intervention schools said they 'are currently eating a healthy diet' (39.6%) or 'would try to eat a healthy diet' (35.7%) than in control schools (34.4% and 31.7% respectively; chi-square test p < 0.001). Most children (75.5%) enjoyed playing the game and teachers considered it a useful resource. Conclusions The 'Top Grub' card game facilitated the enjoyable delivery of nutrition education in a sample of UK primary school age children. Further studies should determine whether improvements in nutrition knowledge are sustained and lead to changes in dietary behaviour.