Assess the effectiveness of planned teaching on knowledge and attitude regarding rainbow nutrition among mothers of school age children

Abstract****Introduction: A balanced diet is essential for maintaining health and well-being across all stages of life. Rainbow nutrition—eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables—ensures the intake of vital micronutrients, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that support immune function, growth, and disease prevention. Despite this, many children, especially in rural and economically challenged settings, fail to meet daily fruit and vegetable intake recommendations, putting them at risk for malnutrition and related chronic illnesses.

Background: Mothers play a central role in shaping their children’s dietary habits. However, limited awareness and socio-economic barriers often hinder the adoption of healthy food practices. Planned teaching interventions can bridge knowledge gaps and positively influence attitudes toward diverse and nutritious diets.

Objectives:

1. To assess the baseline knowledge and attitude of mothers regarding rainbow nutrition.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of a planned teaching program in improving this knowledge and attitude.
3. To determine the association between post-test knowledge scores and selected demographic variables.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was used. A sample of 60 mothers of school-age children was selected using purposive sampling from Wardha. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire assessing knowledge and attitude toward rainbow nutrition. A planned teaching session was conducted, followed by a post-test to evaluate its effectiveness. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests and ANOVA using SPSS v27.0 and GraphPad Prism v7.0.

Results: Findings indicated a significant improvement in both knowledge and attitude scores post-intervention (p < 0.05). Demographic variables such as education level and number of children showed a positive correlation with post-test scores.

Conclusion: The study confirms that planned teaching is an effective strategy to improve mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding rainbow nutrition. This approach can be incorporated into community health education to promote healthier dietary patterns among children, ultimately contributing to better long-term health outcomes.

Keywords: Rainbow Nutrition, Planned Teaching, Mothers, School-age Children, Nutritional Awareness, Balanced Diet, Health Education