Effectiveness of Health Education Programs in Promoting Healthy Eating Habits Among Primary School Children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t3146Abstract
The promotion of healthy eating habits among primary school children has emerged as a critical public health priority globally, with mounting evidence demonstrating that dietary behaviors established during childhood significantly influence long-term health outcomes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of health education programs in promoting healthy eating habits among primary school children through a comprehensive literature-based methodology. The research synthesized evidence from peer-reviewed studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews published between 2009 and 2025, focusing on school-based interventions targeting children aged 5-12 years. The theoretical framework was grounded in Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, which provided a robust foundation for understanding behavior change mechanisms through the dynamic interaction of personal factors, environmental influences, and behavioral patterns. Findings revealed that multicomponent health education programs demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to single-component interventions, with experiential learning strategies such as gardening activities and cooking experiences showing the most significant improvements in children's dietary knowledge, attitudes, and consumption behaviors. Programs of adequate duration (≥6 months) that included meaningful parental engagement and were delivered by trained personnel achieved greater effectiveness in producing sustainable behavioral changes. The evidence indicated differential impacts on fruit versus vegetable consumption, with vegetables requiring more intensive intervention approaches. The study concluded that comprehensive, theory-based health education programs incorporating experiential learning opportunities and family involvement were most effective in promoting healthy eating habits among primary school children, requiring sustained implementation and adequate resource allocation to achieve optimal outcomes.
Keywords: Health Education, Primary School Children, Healthy Eating Habits, Nutrition Education, School-Based Interventions
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