Investigating the Effect of Nutrition Education on Children's Nutrition Decisions and Reasoning Patterns

Abstract

The aim of this research is to explore how nutrition education affects children's nutritional decisions and reasoning patterns. This case study was carried out with the participation of eight children aged 60-72 months studying in a kindergarten in the province of Elazig in the 2020-2021 academic year. Within the scope of the study, data were collected through sample menu options, weekly activities and video recordings. Children were included in nutrition education for a total of six weeks, two days a week. At the beginning and end of the education, children were presented with breakfast, lunch and dinner menus prepared by a nutritionist in a way that would be healthy, seemingly healthy and unhealthy. Children were asked to choose one of the three alternative menus. While the children's decisions were scored as -1, 0, 1 before and after the education, their reasoning patterns were evaluated through an analytical rubric. The results showed that nutrition education positively affects children's menu choices and enables them to make reasoning that is more rational. These results were discussed in depth based on the literature and pedagogical recommendations were made.