A cross-sectional comparison of nutrition knowledge, attitudes and dietary practices between learners and teachers in primary schools in a resource limited community in Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa

Abstract

Optimal nutrition knowledge is necessary for healthy dietary behaviours to occur. Nutrition knowledge, attitudes and dietary practices (KAP) scores for learners have been variously reported in literature, however with little or no information on how the nutrition KAP status of teachers impart on learners. The study aimed to assess the nutrition KAP status of learners and of teachers in order to ascertain the impact and transfer of nutrition information from teachers to learners. The results suggest that teachers’ high nutrition knowledge and attitudes status have not been effectively impacted on learners. It also suggests a need to improve or modify methods of nutrition information delivery by teachers in a way to improve learners’ dietary behaviours.This paper was initially delivered at the Faculty of Education and Department of Physiology at the University of Pretoria, Groenkloof Campus, South Africa on 16 October 2013.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam201