School-Based Nutrition Education and School Dietitian Model in Primary School Students: A Randomised Controlled Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 67
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Nutrition Knowledge Score
研究概览
简要总结
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.
详细描述
Childhood obesity and malnutrition are urgent public health challenges in Türkiye, particularly in regions with limited access to structured health promotion programmes. Schools represent an appropriate setting for preventive strategies as they provide consistent opportunities for health education and behaviour reinforcement.
Study Design and Randomisation This study was designed as a single-centre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial (RCT) conducted in a public primary school in Mardin, Türkiye. A total of 70 fourth-grade students were recruited and randomly allocated into intervention and control groups using a simple randomisation procedure performed by an independent researcher. Allocation was concealed until group assignments were finalised.
Intervention The intervention group participated in an eight-week school-based nutrition education programme, led by a registered dietitian, with one session delivered per week during school hours. Each session lasted approximately 40 minutes and included structured modules on food groups, balanced diet, healthy snacking, and the risks of processed foods. Interactive teaching methods such as educational games, puzzles, and visual aids were applied to increase engagement. In parallel, parents of the intervention group students attended a four-week supplementary programme delivered in evening sessions, covering home-based nutrition practices and strategies for supporting healthy child eating behaviours.
The control group continued routine school activities during the study period. To ensure equity, they were provided with an abridged version of the nutrition education materials after study completion.
Data Collection Procedures Measurements were performed at three time points: baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and two months post-intervention (T2). Trained assessors, blinded to group allocation, collected data following standardised protocols.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Prevention
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
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.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 10 Years 至 11 Years（Child）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •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.
排除标准
- •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.
研究组 & 干预措施
Intervention Group - School-Based Nutrition Education
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.
干预措施: School-Based Nutrition Education Program (Behavioral)
Control Group - Routine School Activities
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.
结局指标
主要结局
Nutrition Knowledge Score
时间窗: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.
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.
Nutrition Attitude Score
时间窗: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.
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.
Nutrition Behaviour Score
时间窗: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.
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.
Nutrition Knowledge Score
时间窗: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.
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.
Nutrition Attitude Score
时间窗: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.
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.
Nutrition Behaviour Score
时间窗: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and 2-month follow-up.
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.
次要结局
- 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.)
- 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.)
研究者
Çağlar Akçalı
Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mardin Artuklu University
Mardin Artuklu University