How Can We Increase the Nutrition-Related Knowledge in Children Aged 7–12 Years: Results of Focus Groups Interviews with Parents—Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project

Abstract

Nutrition education is a long-term process that should cover various population groups. A special focus should be placed on children, adolescents and their parents. The aim of this research was to find out the opinions of parents of primary school pupils aged 7–12 on their expectations towards school education in the areas of food and nutrition, addressed to both pupils and their parents. The research was conducted among 101 parents of primary school pupils with the use of the Focus Group Interview (FGI) method. It demonstrated that what is most needed are hands-on activities relating to basic theoretical issues. While parents see the need for nutrition education for their children, educating pupils in this area is of interest to only some of the respondents for whom nutrition aspects are quite important. All parents would like formal nutrition education at school, but at the same time, they do not want classes to take up too much of their children’s time, due to the already excessive number of school subjects. It seems appropriate to include everyone in regard to nutrition education, regardless of their declared interest in this issue. The need for consistent presentation of educational content addressed to teachers and parents is very important, so that they can, in a uniform way, shape the attitudes towards food and nutrition of children and adolescents.

Is nutritional education in primary schools needed in the light of teachers’ diagnosis of the state of knowledge about food and nutrition of 7–12-year-old primary school pupils? The Focus Group Interview (FGI) – Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project

“…It is essential to recognize, however, that the dietary behaviours of children and adolescents are influenced by various environments, with notable impacts from school, family, and peers. The attitudes and eating habits formed during this developmental stage significantly shape dietary patterns later in life [12][13][14][15].…”

Improving dietary diversity and food security among low-income families during financial crisis using mHealth: Experience from two selected districts in Sri Lanka

“…This can be done by creating motivation for change among people to establish desirable food and nutritional behaviours to promote and protect good health. In addition, people are given help in learning new nutritional information and developing the attitudes, skills, and con dence needed to improve their nutrition (12). However, there is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in lower middle-income countries LMIC (13).…”