RESUMEN
Background and Objectives: Regarding the high prevalence of unhealthy food habits among Iranian children, we aimed to assess the effect of a school-based nutrition education program on nutritional status of primary school students in Shiraz
Materials and Methods: This randomized educational controlled trial was carried out on 221 primary school age children selected by cluster sampling in the elementary schools of Shiraz-Iran. The intervention consisted of 6 nutrition education sessions carried out through one year for children, using active learning methods. Mothers' education was carried out in person in both lecture and question-answer sessions also via sending text messages and pamphlets. Weight, height and waist circumference [WC] of children were measured before and after the intervention. Also a 168-item food frequency questionnaire was completed. Two separate nutrition knowledge questionnaires were filled up by children and their mothers. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16
Results: 171 children [83 in the case and 88 in the control group] aged 9.5-10.5 years, completed the study. Anthropometric and nutritional knowledge of the participants in both the intervention and control groups was significantly increased. Weight, height, WC and nutritional knowledge increased significantly more in the intervention group compared to the controls. Consumption of fruits and vegetables decreased in the intervention group while plain sugar and fast foods intake increased among the controls. There were no significant differences between the changes in the intake of any of the food groups in the two groups
Conclusions: In conclusion, the designed nutrition education program could increase students' nutritional knowledge, and lead to a non-significant change towards reducing the consumption of unhealthy foods such as fast foods, sweets and salty snacks
RESUMEN
Increased consumption of fiber in the diet of diabetic patients is usually recommended for better diabetes control. Trans-theoretical model of health behavior has had positive results in diabetes consultations on healthcare and adherence to healthy eating. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the stages of change based on fiber consumption and glycemic control in the patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was conducted on126 individuals [aged 30-65 years] with type 2 diabetes selected from two diabetes care centers in Tehran, Iran. [Stages of change questionnaire] was completed, and dietary intake was determined by a three-day food record. Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between the stages of change and glycemic control indices in these patients. P- value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The mean fiber intake in the patients with type 2 diabetes [10.62 +/- 3.19 g/kcal] was less than the minimum amount recommended by Dietary Reference Intake [DRI]. Besides, most patients were in the maintenance [52%] and preparation [22.4%] stages. After adjustment for confounding factors, a positive significant relationship was observed between the blood glucose level and the action and maintenance stages. However, this relationship was contrary to the expected results. The largest part of fiber intake was related to fruits [40%]. Trans-theoretical model seems to be efficient for distinguishing the readiness of the patients with type 2 diabetes for change in their fiber intake behavior. Nevertheless, no association was found between the stages and glycemic control indices