Outcomes of nutrition knowledge and healthy food choices in 5- to 6-year-old children who received a nutrition intervention based on Piaget's theory

Abstract

Purpose: To develop nutrition education for preschool children based on Piaget's theory and to examine the effects of this education on children's nutritional knowledge, nutritional behaviors, and anthropometric measurements.

Design and methods: Pre- and postexperimental design. In experimental schools nutrition education was given. Children's nutritional knowledge, food consumption frequencies, and anthropometric measurements were evaluated.

Results: The experimental group's nutritional knowledge scores increased and the group's food preferences positively changed. No significant difference was observed between the experimental and control groups' anthropometric measurements.

Practice implications: The nutrition education program used in this study may guide nurses in preparing education for preschoolers. The participation of families is recommended in their children's nutrition program.