Effect of using the transtheoretical model for breakfast and healthy snacks on education for elementary students in Qazvin

As an essential element of health promotion programs، nutritional education improves the nutrition behaviors of students. The present study examined the impact of using the transtheoretical model to change breakfast and healthy snacks habits on education in elementary school students. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 300 students randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The data collection instrument an a standard questionnaire. Educational intervention was conducted in 4 sessions in groups of 10 students and one personal counselor. Data was collected before and 3 mo after training and was analyzed using SPSS 18. 0 software and chi square، McNemar، pooled t-test، pair t-test، and ANOVA with Scheffe statistical tests. The average age of students was 9. 36 ± 0. 45 yr with equal ratios of males and females. Before the educational program، no students reported that they were at the action and maintenance stage; after education، 40% of students in the experimental group reported being in the active stage of readiness (p<0. 001). Results indicate a significant increase in the prerequisites of behavior change for the experimental group (19. 02 ± 6. 19 to 41. 08 ± 4. 62)، process of change (53. 66 ± 13. 01 to 80. 96 ± 14. 71)، pros (43. 71 ± 8. 97 to 73. 01 ± 26. 89) and a decrease in cons (27. 03 ± 5. 89 to 16. 42 ± 3. 57) (p<0. 001). Breakfast consumption significantly increased and consumption of unhealthy snacks decreased significantly (p<0. 001). Educational intervention in the structure of the transtheoretical model created adequate changes in nutritional behavior of the students over a 3 mo period. Given the low cost and effectiveness of nutritional education-based change model، the need to generate such educational programs is crucial.