The effect of nutrition education towards on healthy nutrition perceptions and attitudes, given to individuals working in a private institution

This study was designed to determine the effect of nutrition education given to individuals to measuring anthropometric measurements, food consumption, healthy life behaviours and nutritional knowledge levels on individuals perceptions and attitudes towards healthy nutrition. This study is conducted between March 2019-May 2019 in a private institution, on a total of 81 voluntary participants between 18-64 years old among which 40 are female and 41 are male. In first interview with all voluntary participants, survey form is applied to collect information about socio-demographical properties, general health conditions, eating habits, attitude for diet and physical activity levels. 20 question nutritional knowledge level test is applied to measure nutritional knowledge level of individuals, 24-hour food consumption and physical activity records are assessed. To identify healthy lifestyle behaviour, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviour Scale II (HLBS II) is applied, anthropometric measurements are recorded and body composition is determined. In March 2019, a total of 60 minutes of nutrition training was given to individuals. Training topics are selected as healthy eating, nutritional elements, food groups, portions, meal planning, diseases related with eating, frequently asked questions in eating and physical activity. 1 month after the training, 24-hour food consumption of individuals, physical activity records are assessed, nutritional knowledge level test and HLBS II scale was applied, anthropometric measurements and body composition were taken again. Age average of participant females is 36.1±6.54 years and age average of participant males is 38.0±7.03 years. For female participants, average body weight is 63.9±9.45 kg, average BMI is 24.05±4.28 kg/m2, average waist measurement is 90.10±7.93, average waist/hip ratio is 0.88±0.02 cm, average body fat percentage is %30.4±7.68 before training. There are statistically significant difference between measurements after training (p<0.05). There are statistically significant difference in males for anthropometric measurements between before and after training (p<0.05). After training, it is determined that there is no statistically significant difference for energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat and pulp intake (p>0.05), there is only statistically significant decrease in single unsaturated fatty acid intake of females (p<0.05). It is determined that nutritional knowledge score and physical activity level of individuals increased after training (p<0.05). In nutritional knowledge score classification, there is decrease in low and medium level and there is increase in high level after education and there is no significant effect of training on nutritional knowledge score of females and males (p<0.05). While total average HLBS II score of individuals before education is 131.4±17.92, score after education is 134.8±16.58. Positive and significant relationship between water consumption before and after education and SYBDÖ II scale is determined (p<0.05). Positive and statistically significant relationship between HLBS II scale score and nutritional knowledge level is found for both before and after education conditions (p<0.05). As a result, purpose of nutritional education is to increase nutritional knowledge level in individuals and to see reflection this increasing knowledge to behaviour. It is seen that nutrition education provided to employees increased anthropometric measurements, nutritional knowledge level, physical activities and healthy lifestyle behaviours. Providing regular healthy nutritional trainings to individuals in workplaces will make these trainings effective and permanent.