Nutrition education: as perceived by school children and their mothers

To examine nutrition education as perceived by school children and their mothers.

This was a qualitative study using focus group discussion (FGD). The research team consisted of a coordinator, one or two observers and two note takers Each FGD was held with 6 to 8 person and each session tasted about 60 minutes. The fieldwork ecuvtues of the study included 20 FGD sessions, 16 for children grades I" to 4•h and 4 for mothers. The study was held in 2 districts of Tehran. At the end of each group discussion all notes were completed, coded, analyzed and classified by team members.

The findings showed that children were eager to learn on effects of healthy foods. Children indicated that TV was the most important and effective teaching medium, In addition to TV, food advertisements, school staff especially teachers were among the most common named on children's nutritional behaviors. Most of children preferred to learn nutritional subjects from father, mother and other family members. The mothers preferred teachers, health instructors' parents and classmates as the source of knowledge and schools as the most effective place for teaching/or educating nutritional subjects.

The study results suggest that children need to learn more about nutrition and foods. Designing longitudinal nutrition education projects aiming at children through TV or other effective media arc essential