Evaluation of a Nutrition Education Program Designed to Reduce Sugar Intake in Preschool Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a nutrition education program designed to reduce sugar intake in preschool children. The nutritional knowledge, dietary attitude, dietary behavior, and food intake with a sweet taste in preschool children were tested before and after 4 weeks of nutrition education from March 8 to April 1, 2016. The preschool children were recruited in Dobong-gu, Seoul. The subjects were divided into two groups; educated (N=59) and non-educated group (N=40). Statistical analyseis were performed using SPSS 22. The nutritional knowledge about sweet tasting food was significantly increased (P<0.01) in the educated group and significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the non-educated group. The dietary attitude toward sweet tasting food was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the educated group but not significantly changed in the non-educated group. The dietary behavior toward sweet tasting food was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the educated group and significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the non-educated group. The major food sources of sugar intake were not significantly changed in either groups. The major food sources of sugar intake in the 5 years old children were yogurt products>sweetened breads>cookies/biscuits>chocolate>cereals>beverages>sweetened milk>sweet spicy chicken>Tteokbokki. Although there are some limitations in this study, due to the short length of the nutrition education and lack of active participation by the parents, the results suggest that effective nutrition education on sweet tasting food can bring about changes in nutritional knowledge as well as dietary attitude.