The effect of a nutrition program based on the Health Behavior Interaction Model on primary school students’ nutritional attitudes and behaviors

This study investigated the effect of a nutrition program based on the health behavior interaction model on primary school students’ nutritional attitudes and behaviors.

Study adopted a nonidentical control-group quasi-experimental research design. The sample consisted of 94 fourth graders randomized into three groups: intervention (n = 33) and control I (n = 31), and control II (n = 30). The experimental group underwent the HBIM-based nutrition program. Control group I received a general nutrition education. Control group II received routine education at home and in school. Dependent variables are primary school students’ nutritional attitudes and behaviors. Independent variables are demographic factors of student. Data were collected using Family Environment Scale (FES), Dietary Self-Efficacy Scale (DSES), Health Perception Form (HPF), Nutrition Attitude Scale (NAS) and Food Behavior Scale (FBS). The data were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, one-factor analysis of variance, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis H test.

There was no significant difference in pretest and posttest FES and HPF between the intervention and control groups (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in pretest and posttest DSES and NAS between them (p < 0.05).

The HBIM-based nutrition program was not good at helping children develop nutritional self-efficacy and adopt healthy eating behaviors.