School-Based Nutrition Education in Primary Students

NCT07168928 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-7
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 67
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a school-based nutrition education program and the implementation of a school dietitian model on primary school students in Mardin, Türkiye. A total of 67 fourth-grade students were randomized into intervention (n=32) and control (n=35) groups. The intervention group received an eight-week classroom-based nutrition education program, while their parents received four weeks of parent-focused education. Outcomes were measured using the Nutrition Knowledge Test, Nutrition Attitude Scale, Nutrition Behavior Scale, Child Physical Activity Questionnaire, and anthropometric assessments including weight, height, BMI, and waist circumference. The study seeks to determine whether dietitian-led school-based nutrition education can improve children's nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, as well as influence anthropometric measures. Findings from this trial are expected to inform future strategies for integrating school dietitians and structured nutrition education into primary schools in Türkiye.

Conditions

Childhood Obesity; School-Aged Children; Nutrition Education

Keywords

School-based nutrition education; school-aged children; nutrition knowledge; school dietitian; anthropometric measurements

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Nutrition Knowledge Score

  In order to evaluate the nutritional behaviours, knowledge level and attitudes of the students, questions prepared by making use of the literature and in parallel with the nutrition education given were used. In the evaluation, +1 point was given for each correct answer, 0 points for each incorrect answer, and the total score was reported. Higher scores obtained from the test indicate higher nutritional knowledge.

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.

• Nutrition Attitude Score

  The scale consists of exercise, nutrition, smoking and stress control sub-dimensions. In this study, only the 'nutrition' sub-dimension was used. The overall internal consistency coefficient of the scale was reported as 0.79 and the internal consistency coefficient of the nutrition subscale was reported as 0.68. The nutrition sub-dimension assesses the child's attitude towards behaviours to reduce fat intake, increase healthy food consumption and diets that support heart health. Scale items are scored between 1 (strongly disagree) and 4 (strongly agree) and the total score ranges from 4 to 16. The high scores obtained reflect favourable nutritional attitudes.

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.

• Nutrition Behaviour Score

  It was developed to determine children's food preferences. It consists of 14 items featuring images of healthy and unhealthy foods. On the scale, each unhealthy food choice is assigned -1 point, each healthy food choice is assigned +1 point, and the total score ranges from -14 to +14. High scores indicate healthy eating habits.

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.

• Waist Circumference

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.

• Physical Activity Score

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group - School-Based Nutrition Education

EXPERIMENTAL

Students in this group participated in an eight-week, classroom-based nutrition education programme led by a school dietitian. The sessions were interactive and age-appropriate, focusing on healthy eating, food groups, meal planning, and the risks of processed foods. In addition, parents received a four-week educational programme on child nutrition and healthy dietary practices.

Behavioral: School-Based Nutrition Education Program

Control Group - Routine School Activities

NO INTERVENTION

Students in this group continued with their routine school curriculum without receiving additional nutrition education during the intervention period. After the study was completed, control group students were provided access to the nutrition education materials.

Interventions

School-Based Nutrition Education Program BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consisted of an eight-week, school-based nutrition education programme delivered to fourth-grade students by a school dietitian. Sessions were conducted once per week and included interactive lectures, games, and educational activities focusing on healthy eating, food groups, balanced meals, and the risks of processed food consumption. In addition, parents of students in the intervention group received a four-week educational programme on child nutrition, meal planning, and healthy lifestyle practices.

Intervention Group - School-Based Nutrition Education

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 10 Years - 11 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Enrolled as a fourth-grade student in the selected primary school in Mardin, Türkiye.
• Aged between 10 and 11 years.
• Able to participate in classroom-based activities and complete the study assessments.
• Obtained written informed consent from parents.

You may not qualify if:

• Students with physical or cognitive impairments that prevent participation in educational sessions or completion of questionnaires.
• Absence from school during the intervention period that would preclude participation in the majority of sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Çağlar Akçalı: lead

Study Sites (1)

Mardin Artuklu University

Mardin, Artuklu, 47200, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Erdim L, Ergun A, Kuguoglu S. Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Turk J Med Sci. 2019 Feb 11;49(1):162-169. doi: 10.3906/sag-1806-212.

  PMID: 30764593 BACKGROUND

• Kowalski KC, Crocker PRE, Faulkner RA. Validation of the physical activity questionnaire for older children. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 1997;9(2):174-186.

  BACKGROUND

• Crocker PR, Bailey DA, Faulkner RA, Kowalski KC, McGrath R. Measuring general levels of physical activity: preliminary evidence for the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997 Oct;29(10):1344-9. doi: 10.1097/00005768-199710000-00011.

  PMID: 9346166 BACKGROUND

• Edmundson E, Parcel GS, Perry CL, Feldman HA, Smyth M, Johnson CC, Layman A, Bachman K, Perkins T, Smith K, Stone E. The effects of the child and adolescent trial for cardiovascular health intervention on psychosocial determinants of cardiovascular disease risk behavior among third-grade students. Am J Health Promot. 1996 Jan-Feb;10(3):217-25. doi: 10.4278/0890-1171-10.3.217.

  PMID: 10163302 BACKGROUND

• Haney MÖ, Bahar Z. Çocuk kalp sağlığını geliştirme tutum ölçeği'nin geçerlik ve güvenirliği. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi. 2014;7(2):92-97.

  BACKGROUND

• Arvidson CR. Children's Cardiovascular Health Promotion Attitude Scale: An Instrument Development. Texas Woman's University; 1990

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pediatric Obesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Obesity; Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The study was conducted as a single-blind trial. Participants and intervention providers were aware of group assignments; however, the researcher responsible for outcome assessments and data analysis was blinded to group allocation to minimize bias.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mardin Artuklu University

Model Details: This study used a randomized, parallel assignment design. Fourth-grade primary school students were randomly allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received an eight-week classroom-based nutrition education program led by dietitians, while their parents participated in a four-week parent-focused education program. The control group continued with routine school activities without additional nutrition education during the study period. Data were collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a two-month follow-up for the intervention group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 4, 2025
• First Posted: September 11, 2025
• Study Start: November 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2025
• Study Completion: April 30, 2025
• Last Updated: September 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)