Determination of the effectiveness of nutrition education provided by evaluating the nutritional status and quality of life of children and adolescents admitted to Ondokuz Mayıs University Child Neurology Policy Clinic with headache complaint

Aim: After determining the nutritional status and quality of life of children and adolescents diagnosed with primary headache, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of nutrition education on headache parameters, quality of life, and nutrition. Materials and Methods: This study includes 17 children and adolescents between the ages of 10-17 who applied to Ondokuz Mayıs University Child Neurology Polyclinic and were diagnosed with primary headaches. Body weight and height measurements were taken and biochemical parameter values were taken from their files. Nutritional status was determined using a food frequency questionnaire, a three-day food consumption record and Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents (Kidmed) scores, and the quality of life of individuals was determined using the Children's Quality of Life Scale (PedsQL). Physical activity levels were determined through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Headache-related data were collected using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Pediatric Migraine Disability Scale (Pedmidas). Nutrition education was given to the participants face to face and online (at least 11 interviews in total), and the scales were reapplied three months later before and after the training. The findings were evaluated with SPSS and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Before nutrition education, children and adolescents' Kidmed scores and quality of life were low, while their Pedmidas scores were high. Additionally, serum vitamin D levels were shown to be seriously inadequate in the majority of participants. It was observed that the participants' adherence to the Mediterranean diet was insufficient and there were positive changes after the training provided. After nutrition education, significant improvements occurred in PedsQL, Kidmed, Pedmidas and VAS scores (p<0.05). Additionally, a negative correlation was found between Kidmed and Pedmidas scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study showed that the eating habits of children and adolescents experiencing headaches need improvement. Among the results found is that headaches experienced may lead to decreases in the quality of life in this age group. It has been shown that the nutrition education provided has positive results on nutritional habits and quality of life, especially headache parameters. Keywords: Childhood primary headaches, Nutritional status, Quality of life, Nutritional education, Children's Quality of Life Scale