“Pilot intervention study: food and nutrition education and psychoeducation among elementary school students in grades 4 to 6”

Abstract

Background: The implementation of nutritional interventions could improve eating habits, contributing to the prevention of overweight and obesity in children. Objective: To modify eating habits through interventions involving food and nutritional education and emotional psychoeducation among school-age children. Methods: This longitudinal study included a sample of 635 students from four public primary schools; these students were assigned to an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). Anthropometric measurements were performed to determine nutritional status, and body image perception, body dissatisfaction, stress, anxiety and depression were evaluated. A 14-week intervention and a final assessment were carried out. The effect size was calculated using Cohen’s “d” statistic. Results: The general prevalence of overweight and obesity was 46.3%. When the size of the intergroup effect of nutritional intervention was analyzed, a positive effect on fruit (d = 0.201) and dairy consumption (d = 242) was observed. Conclusion: The nutritional intervention effectively modulated school children’s food consumption.