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Interventions and public health nutrition

Assessment of high school learners’ familiarity with nutrition education principles

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 75, pages 392–399 (2021)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives

The objective of the study was to assess adolescent learners’ nutritional knowledge to suggest early intervention strategies that address knowledge deficiency gaps that have a negative impact on personal health and productivity.

Subjects/methods

A cross-sectional survey design was used in the study. One circuit was purposively selected from Pinetown District, KZN, South Africa. A representative sample of 108 learners was randomly selected from 7 of the 8 schools in the district to complete the investigator administered questionnaire between July and August 2017.

Results

Although the majority of learners were familiar with the nutrition education principles, a large proportion lacked the knowledge of essential nutrition and were in support of the incorporation of various strategies to promote nutrition education. Friedman test revealed significant differences, χ2 (3) = 192.4, p < 0.001, between the mean rank scores of familiarity to different nutrition principles. Relative to other principles, balanced diet and food groups were the most critical issues. The overall mean of 3.7 for learners’ priority level on nutrition education principles indicated the learners’ view that knowledge of all principles was necessary for the attainment of a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusions

Many learners were not familiar with nutrition education principles. Hence this paper becomes very critical as it communicates the information to the community and suggests various nutrition education intervention strategies that have to be put in place in the school system to impart the necessary knowledge and skills that promote a long-term healthy lifestyle for the learners.

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Acknowledgements

The author is very grateful to Professor C. Maphosa, Dr. O. Ige and the editors Mr. F. Geel, Dr. B. Dube and Dr. S. Loot who improved several sections of the article.

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  1. Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, University of Free State, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa

    T. Mafugu

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Mafugu, T. Assessment of high school learners’ familiarity with nutrition education principles. Eur J Clin Nutr 75, 392–399 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-020-00712-5

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