Impact of dietary behaviors and exercise activities education on the self- efficacy of middle school students

Good nutrition and regular physical activity are health promoting behaviors. Therefore, encouraging adolescents for following good nutritional behavior and having regular physical activity is one of the health priorities of community. This study was performed to determine the effect of educational programs related to nutritional behaviors and physical activity on self- efficacy of middle school students in Kerman. In this quasi experimental study, 120 students of private and public middle schools were selected through multi- stage cluster random sampling and were assigned into two groups of experimental and control. Data was gathered using a questionnaire. After performing a pre-test, experimental group received eight 60-minute sessions of educational program on healthy nutrition and physical activity and their importance were hold through giving lecture and providing question and answer time and educational booklet. The data from before and after of intervention in experimental group were compared with control group by paired t-test, Mann-whitney U, Wilcoxon, Chi-square, Fisher and independent t-test. Self-efficacy in all domains of nutritional behavior has a significant difference in experimental group (38.92 ±10.59) compared to the control group (-1.78 ± 0.33) (p<0.0001). There was also a significant difference in the self- efficacy in physical activity between the experimental group (15.97 ± 6.01) and control group (-0.87±1.5). All two groups showed significant difference in the promotion of nutritional behavior and physical activity following the educational program (P<0.001). Educational programs on nutritional behavior and physical activity have positive effects on students’ self-efficacy. Therefore, providing educational programs for promotion of self-efficacy in various health issues and prevention is highly required.