Determination of the effect of nutrition education given to primary school children on nutritional behavior and the amount of school food waste

This study was carried out in order to developing a nutrition education model for primary school students and its effect on children's nutritional knowledge and behavior, comparing the lunch consumption situations at school with the plate wastes. The study data were obtained from 122 children attending the 2nd and 3rd grades in a primary school in Gaziantep Province, Sehitkamil District, between December 2018 and April 2019. The mean age of the children participating in the study was determined as 8.3±0.65 years. A questionnaire formula was applied to the children; afterwards, powerpoint presentation supported nutrition education and application were given to the students in each branch on different days and/or times. Anthropometric measurements of the children were taken before and after the nutrition education. Before and after the education was given, the children were asked to fill out the "Nutrition Knowledge Level Test - BBDT". The lunch food consumption of the children before and after the education was recorded by weighing the waste plates for five days. When the children were compared before and after nutrition education, body weight increased in both genders (p<0.05); it was determined that their height increased (p<0.05). The hip circumference of the children participating in the study before and after the education increased (p<0.05); it was determined that there was no statistically significant change in both genders in terms of mean Body Mass Index (BMI) values, waist circumference and waist/height ratio (p>0.05). While the average of children's nutrition knowledge score before education was 67.2±4.3 in total; after the training, it was determined as 71.9±3.9. It was determined that the nutritional knowledge score increased in both genders after the education compared to the pre-education, and this increase was statistically significant in boys (p<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in girls (p>0.05). While it was determined that the carbohydrate, monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat content consumed by the children after the education increased (p<0.05); energy, fat (%TE), saturated fat and dietary fiber contents were found to decrease compared to the findings before the training (p<0.05). After the education, dietary niacin intake increased in the lunch that the children consumed (p<0.05), vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin C decreased (p<0.05); it was determined that dietary sodium intake increased (p<0.05) and calcium, iron, zinc and potassium intake decreased (p<0.05). As a result, it is revealed that there are positive developments in the knowledge level of children with the nutrition education given. It is understood that providing education on adequate and balanced nutrition and food groups in schools will increase the knowledge level of children in this age group. It has been concluded that with the support of nutrition education for age groups and correct menu planning, the problem of plate waste in mass nutrition systems will be prevented and the dietitian has important duties.