Effectiveness of nutrition education intervention in promoting food-based recommendation among 6-9 years old school children in Pila, Laguna, Philippines

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of nutrition education in promoting Food Based Recommendation (FBR) consumption among school children aged 6-9 years old, using the Theory of Planned Behavior. The study utilized a Quasi-Experimental, Non-Randomized Design conducted among 322 school children currently enrolled in Labuin Elementary School, Pila, Laguna [Philippines]. School children were assigned to intervention groups with three treatments and a control group. The intervention group received Pamphlet (T1), Video (T2), and Pamphlet-Video (T3), and the control group received the usual health education subject. The school children's socio-demographic characteristics were used descriptive analysis (mean, frequency, percentage distributions, and Chi-Square), and t-test to compare differences between periods (pretest and post-test) and between two groups (intervention and control group). The Pearson r Correlation Coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship of TPB on the adherence of FBR. Finally, a t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to assess the effectiveness of the nutrition education intervention in promoting FBR. The pamphlet material was translated through an educational video that emphasized the importance of FBR in children's intake. Moreover, the video made use of adapted graphical and clear translations of the FBR key messages designed to easily recognize and adhere to the promotion of FBR among young children. After the two-month completion of interventions, the adherence to the FBR for eggs, milk, and green leafy and yellow vegetables was studied across different treatment groups and Nutrition Pamphlet-Video (T3) group had the highest mean adherence for eggs and milk, while Nutrition Pamphlet (T1) group had the highest mean adherence for green leafy and yellow vegetables. In addition, findings indicated that children's Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavior Control were all positively associated in their intention to adhere to the FBR with a p-value of 0.01. Nutrition Pamphlet (T1), Nutrition Video (T2), and Nutrition Pamphlet-Video Group (T3) were effective in improving children's knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms perceived behavior control, and perceived intention with a p-value of 0.001 towards FBR for eggs, milk, and green leafy and yellow vegetables as compared to the control group. Adopting nutrition education interventions as part of the school intervention builds positive knowledge and behavior in promoting FBR intake among school children.