Mothers' Perceptions on Nutrition Education for Elementary School Students in the Busan Area I: A Demographical Factor Approach

ABSTRACT

This study examined mothers' perceptions on nutrition education for elementary school students according to demographical factors. Questionnaires were distributed to the mothers of 511 elementary school students in the Busan area. According to the results, 50% of the respondents felt that the preschool years or the lower elementary grades were proper times to start nutrition education. Furthermore, they preferred school dietitians (55.4%), outside professional dietitians (16.3%), nurse teachers (13.8%), class room teachers (11.7%), and parents (2.8%) as nutrition educators. The mothers who were college and university graduates had significantly (p<0.001) higher scores regarding the necessity of nutrition education for student growth when compared to mothers who were high schools graduates. However, the high school graduates had significantly (p<0.001) higher scores than the college and university graduates with respect to nutrition education for correcting obesity. The order of importance for nutrition education curriculum content was as follows: eating habits, food safety, health and disease, maintaining ideal body weight, food waste and environment, basic food knowledge, and traditional foods. The college and university graduates, and those of 'A' group schools, had significantly (p<0.001) higher importance scores for proper eating habits. Mothers having experience with nutrition education comprised 43.9% of the subjects, and there was a significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage of employed mothers as compared to unemployed. Eighty-six percent of the respondents wanted to receive nutrition education. For more effective learning, they preferred in-person group education rather than correspondence education using e-mails or printed materials from schools.