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School-based intervention to promote healthy nutrition in Sousse, Tunisia

  • Raoudha Kebaili , Imed Harrabi , Jihene Maatoug , Rim Ghammam EMAIL logo , Slama Slim and Hassen Ghannem
Published/Copyright: October 4, 2013

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity among children is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. School interventions programs can represent a mean to implement healthy nutrition attitudes at early ages. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of a school intervention program to promote healthy nutrition among adolescents, in terms of knowledge, behaviors and intention.

Methods: Quasi experimental study among urban students in Sousse, Tunisia with 2 groups, intervention and control. The intervention group had an interactive program integrated with school courses that promoted healthy nutrition habits. Both groups had a pre post evaluation.

Results: 2200 students aged from 12 to 16 participated to the pre post evaluation. In the intervention group, there were significant changes form pre to post test in knowledge, intentions, and behaviors. In the control group, almost no significant changes were observed.

Conclusion: School intervention programs can represent an interesting approach to promote healthy nutrition habits among adolescents.


Corresponding author: Rim Ghammam, Department of Epidemiology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse 4000, Tunisia, Phone: +22509115, E-mail:

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Received: 2013-5-28
Accepted: 2013-7-4
Published Online: 2013-10-4
Published in Print: 2014-5-1

©2014 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston

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