Peer Health Education and Unhealthy Eating Habits among Students in Babel Governorate
Keywords:
Peer health education, unhealthy eating habits schoolsAbstract
Background & Objectives:
Nutritional needs of teens are generally increased due to the rapid growth and changes in body during puberty. Peer health education may be a new education approach to be applied. The objectives in this study were to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices about unhealthy eating habits and to improve by applying peer health education approach.
Methods:
Interventional study was used in a sample of 2848 students during the period from January 2012to March 2013. Global School-based Students Health survey Questionnaire (GSHS) were distributed to students (pretest). Peer health educators were selected from each school according to a certain criteria and trained to be a peer health educator. After training they started peer health education program in their schools. After 6 months a post test was applied to the same students (after peer education) to assess the improvements.
Results:
The study showed female skipping breakfast more than males and the difference was statistically significant. There were 26% of students who never consumed milk and dairy products and 78% were eating a high fat diet three times daily. Students with poor knowledge and practices (12%) improved after peer education and the improvement was statistically significant.
Interpretation & Conclusion:
The promising improvement in knowledge and practices of adolescents may encourage using peer health education in health promotion of adolescents in Iraq.
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