Evaluation of the effects of children on nutrition knowledge and behavior after nutrition training for preschool children

In our study, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of nutrition education on nutritional knowledge and behaviors of preschool children. The study was performed in total 24 children from a Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Nursery in Muğla Province, Menteşe District between October-December 2019. All children received visual nutrition education at their school once a week. After the weekly educations, brochures prepared for families were distributed. Thus, it was aimed that the children and their families should be informed properly. Before starting the study, the sociodemographic features, disease states and eating habits of the families were questioned. Before and after education, the nutritional habits and consumption frequencies of children were questioned and their anthropometric measurements were made. Parents were asked to keep their records, by teaching them how to make their daily food consumption records. As a result of the anthropometric measurements of the children before the education, the frequency of being overweight and obese was found to be 50%. Before the education and training of children after they receive daily energy, fiber, carbohydrates (CHO) and iron concentrations are below safe intake levels based on specific nutrition guide Turkey. In addition, protein and vitamin B12 intakes are far above the recommended reliable intake levels. It has been determined that there is an increase in vitamin C, vitamin K and sodium intakes after the training (p<0.05).