Effect of Nutrition Friendly School Initiative on Eating Habits and Anthropometry in School-Aged Children

"Nutrition Friendly School Initiative" (NFSI) project intends to improve school health by increasing sensitivity about healthy feeding and active life and supporting good practices on this topic. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of this project on eating habits and anthropometric values in school-aged children.

A total of 516 children from 2 nutrition friendly schools and 4 nonnutrition friendly schools are included. Eating habits and behaviors are evaluated by questionnaires. Weight and height z scores, weight for height and body mass index percentages were calculated. Eating habits and anthropometric values were compared between schools that are and are not nutrition friendly.

Students from nutrition-friendly schools were consuming fruits more frequently. Their families also preferred homemade foods. Most of the children had a tendency to consume vegetables, vegetable meals, and fruits. Malnutrition was present in 102 (19.8%) of the children, whereas 328 (63.5%) were normal and 86 (16.7%) were overweight and obese. Overweight and obesity were higher in control group (n=48, 19.0% vs. n=38, 14.4%, P=.342), but this was not statistically significant.

The "Nutrition Friendly School" project had a positive effect on eating behaviors, but no relation was present with obesity. Besides supporting the NFSI, the importance of the family and environment should be remembered, and the education of the people responsible for feeding the child should be taken in consideration.