क ख and ग of healthy eating and gut microbiome: A Pre-Post intervention study on healthy eating with knowledge and attitudes towards nutrition in ten-to-twelve-year school going children of Rishikesh

Globally, millions of children and adolescents are victims of obesity as a result of inclusion of junk food in their diet. In this regard, the change in nutrients found in food has been shown to be responsible for the burden of obesity. In India, changes in food culture have been significant over the past decade. This is particularly found among the adolescents. Previous surveys have shown that adolescents have low knowledge of proper food and its consequences; thus, the majority of them were at risk of eating of junk food. In addition, the consumption of junk food varied by age; it was found that the higher proportion of junk food was in early adolescents (93%) as compared to late adolescents (89%). This difference in the consumption of junk food is determined by the taste and availability and by home and environmental factors. Hence, gaining knowledge of nutrition can be beneficial in improving the health and well-being of adolescents and individuals. The present aims to increase nutritional knowledge and awareness in early adolescent school going children of Rishikesh by nutrition-related education program to pre-adolescent school children. Project would be initiated after Institutional ethical approval. This study would include 10-12 Government/ Government aided/ private school of Rishikesh. Selection of different type of schools would be ensured to know effect of socio-demographic factors. Permission to conduct this intervention study would be sought by competent authority in schools. We would also like to determine the association between early adolescent school going children’s nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward nutrition, dietary and lifestyle

behaviours, and body anthropometry. The study will be explained to the participants before the start (verbally and by leaflets), to the pupils at the school lessons and to the parents/legal guardians during the meetings. Parental or legal guardians’ written informed consent will be obtained for the participation of their children. This project aims to increase nutritional knowledge and awareness in early adolescent school going children of Rishikesh by nutrition-related education program and also provide diet counselling. It would also help us find the association between early adolescent school going children’s nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward nutrition, dietary and lifestyle behaviours, and body anthropometry.