A Study on the Development of Programs for the Nutrition Education of Preschool Nursery Facilities

Lee, Nan Hee; Joung, Hyo Jee; Cho, Sung Hee; Choi, Young Sun

Abstract

This study was aimed at development of a nutrition education program, which was designed for children, their parents and personnel in preschool nursery facilities and carried out by dieticians. The program was conducted at 6 preschool nursery facilities for 3 months from July to September 1998. Four-hundred thirty-three children aged 2 to 7 years were engaged in the program. Children in each class were given nutrition education practice once a week by dieticians using education materials and a guide book based on a 12-week program. The themes of nutrition education for children consisted of 'knowledge of food sources and foods', 'relations between food and health', 'other roles of food', 'right eating habit', and 'cooking practice'. Each of five leaflets on nutrition education for parents was delivered eery three weeks in a series and leaflets were posted on a bulletin board. Nursery school teachers were educated by their participation in the class with dieticians using education materials. Evaluation of nutrition education by children, parents and personnel was carried out by interviewing and using questionnaires before and after the program. Children responded more positively more positively on their eating behavior and sanitary behaviors after nutrition education. Parents'opinions on the nutrition education program were positive : 72.3 described the nutrition education program as 'very good'and 'good'. In addition, 71.3% answered that the education materials for parents were helpful. A majority(93.8%) of personnel in facilities evaluated the nutrition education program effective. Nursery personnel evaluated the importance of general nutrition knowledge, childhood nutrition, and obesity control for nutrition management and nutrition education more highly after nutrition education. This study indicates that nutrition management and nutrition education programs for preschool nursery facilities are necessary and they would be effective when implemented by dieticians.