EFFECTIVENESS OF NUTRITION EDUCATION IN IMPROVING ALL FIVE FOOD GROUPS CONSUMPTION AMONG SELECTED SCHOOL STUDENTS OF LAHORE OF 9-15 YEARS OF AGE- A PRE-POST INTERVENTIONAL STUDY

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17010217

Abstract

This pre-post interventional study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition education in improving the consumption of all five food groups among selected school students aged 9-15 years in Lahore. Recognizing the critical role of balanced nutrition in growth and health, the study implemented a structured nutrition education program based on established behavior change models to enhance students' knowledge and dietary practices. Baseline data on dietary intake and nutritional knowledge were collected before the intervention. The educational sessions utilized interactive methods, including audiovisual aids and worksheets, to engage students in understanding the importance of incorporating fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy into their daily diets. Post-intervention assessments indicated a significant improvement in students' knowledge and a measurable increase in the consumption frequency of all five food groups. The findings suggest that targeted nutrition education programs can effectively promote healthier eating habits among school-aged children, thereby contributing to improved nutritional status and potentially reducing the risk of diet-related diseases. The study underscores the necessity of integrating regular nutrition education into school curricula to sustain healthy dietary behaviors in this vulnerable age group.

Key words: nutrition education, post-intervention, consumption frequency