Design and Implementation of a School-Based Nutrition Literacy Program for parents of 3-10-year-old children in Low-Income Households

Abstract

Background: Parent-targeted nutrition literacy programs are essential for equipping parents with the knowledge and skills required to instill healthy dietary habits in children from an early age. Aim: This quasi-experimental study designed and implemented a school-based nutrition literacy program for parents of 3-10-year-old children from low-income households. Methods: Over five weeks, eight modular nutrition literacy sessions were conducted for parents (n=53, 67.9% mothers, mean age 33.5 (4.5) years) at a government school in Mumbai. The program assessed parents' nutrition literacy, purchasing behaviors, perceptions of healthy eating, and self-efficacy in planning and preparing nutritious meals. A 36-item food frequency questionnaire estimated parents’ habitual dietary patterns. Feedback interviews with parents and teachers tested program feasibility. Pre to post-intervention changes were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and paired t-tests. Results: At baseline, knowledge regarding food groups (39.6%), nutrients (14.0%), and benefits of whole grains (48.0%), and breakfast (24.5%) was inadequate. The intervention led to improvements in knowledge and attitudes, including the value of fruits (3.0 vs 3.9, p<0.001), balanced diets (3.1 vs 3.8, p=0.006), family meals (2.9 vs 3.5, p<0.001), and self-efficacy to pack healthy lunches for children (2.6 vs 3.1, p<0.001). Parents reported greater frequency of dairy and legume (p<0.001) consumption and reduced intake of packaged snacks (p <0.001) and fast food (p=0.033). Participant feedback showed confidence in budget-friendly meal planning and support for weekend sessions at school. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of a school-based nutrition literacy program in improving parental nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and dietary practices.