A Nutrition Education Intervention Trial for Adolescent Girls in Isfahan: Study Design and Protocol Publisher

Summary: Research suggests nutrition education based on social cognitive theory improves teen girls’ eating habits, promoting healthier lives. #TeenHealth #Nutrition

Shirazi MG¹ ; Kazemi A² ; Mostafavi F³ ; Kelishadi R⁴
Source: International Journal of Pediatrics Published:2016

Abstract

Background Nutrition behaviors of adolescent girls is of serious health concerns. Although nutrition education interventions in Iran have met with some success, most of them could not promote nutrition behavioral changes. The aim of our study is to determine a school-based nutrition education intervention to improve adolescents' nutrition behaviors and behavioral mediators based on the social cognitive theory (SCT). Materials and Methods This study is a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants will be all student girls in grade 6 and 7, their parents and teachers in Isfahan governmental schools. This multi component school-based intervention include adolescents' nutrition education package, parents' nutrition massages, participatory homework, parents and teachers nutrition education package, supportive group, and collaboration with decision makers. Changing in nutrition behaviors including breakfast, fruit and vegetable, snack and fast food consumption will be examined, as primary outcome. Secondary outcome will be behavioral mediators such as knowledge, self-efficacy, intention, situation, self-regulation, social support, outcome expectations and expectancies, in adolescent girls. The outcomes will be assessed at baseline, and after 3 and 6-month follow-up. Discussion This study evaluates a school-based, guided SCT intervention, designed to improve healthy dietary behaviors, nutrition knowledge of adolescent girls. Few behavioral interventions have targeted this high-risk population in Iran. The intervention seems to be promising and has the potential to bridge the gap of the limited program outcomes of nutrition education in Iranian adolescents.