Nutrition education in school curriculum: impact on adolescents’ attitudes and dietary behaviours

ABSTRACT

This study explores the status of nutrition education in Moroccan curricula designed for Middle School level. The study also investigates attitudes and behaviour in relation to nutrition among students across grade levels before the nutrition related program and those with nutrition education incorporated in the curriculum. Findings show that nutrition education has been explicitly addressed as part of the curriculum of Life and Earth Sciences in Middle school level, grade 3 (age 14–15 years), covering various topics. However, nutrition education has not been integrated in the curricula of other grades and subject areas. The competency-based approach was adopted to introduce the curriculum. The incorporation of nutrition education in Sciences curriculum resulted in a significant increase in students’ knowledge regarding nutrition-related diseases, in caring for nutritive value of foods and in fresh vegetables preference, with a decrease in soda drinks (p < 0.05). Although adolescents’ attitudes towards nutrition issues were found to be positive, their daily eating habits did not necessary match their attitude and eating habits. Several factors of influence may impact adolescents’ dietary habits and food choices, including family, school and media. Based on the study results, to make curriculum more effective in improving adolescents’ attitudes and healthy eating practices, the authors recommend nutrition related topics should be taught with theory-based, behaviour-focused and interdisciplinary approaches using innovative methods. Also nutrition education requires considering different sources of influences and collaborative efforts actively involving curriculum developers, teachers, family members, food professionals, dietitians and media as well.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• attitudes
• curriculum
• eating-habits
• nutrition education

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all participants in this study for their valuable cooperation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.