Relationship of Awareness, Perceived Benefits, and Perceived Barriers with Nutritional Behavior of Elementary School Students in Kashan

of the Study: Correction of dietary patterns from childhood and beneficial nutritional behaviors form an important part of disease prevention. Therefore, the nutritional status of the students deserves assiduous attention. With this background in mind, the current study aimed to determine the relationship of awareness, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers with the nutritional behavior of elementary school students in Kashan.

This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017. The statistical population included the fourth-grade students in Kashan. The sample size was calculated at 300 students (192 males and 108 females) using multistage sampling. The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire of perception, knowledge, and nutritional behavior. The data were finally analyzed in SPSS software (version 20) using multivariate linear regression tests, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance.

As evidenced by the obtained results, the mean score of students' nutritional awareness was reported as 28.6±3.77, which was in the range of 0-34, yielding the maximum score of 32. The mean score of the nutritional behavior was 28.99±3.1 falling in the range of 0-36, and the maximum score was 35. Moreover, it was observed that awareness (P=0.003), behavior (P=0.01), perceived barriers (P<0.001), and perceived benefits (P<0.001) had a significant relationship with gender. Furthermore, nutritional behavior was significantly associated with perceived benefits (P=0.018) and awareness (P=0.04).

The results of the present study indicated that the high level of awareness in students can promote healthy eating behaviors in them. Training courses in healthy eating education are recommended for students and their parents.