Kiến thức, thái độ và thực hành về dinh dưỡng hợp lý của học sinh tiểu học tại An Giang và Thừa Thiên Huế

The study aims to describe knowledge, attitudes and practices on proper nutrition among primary school children. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,116 pupils in 4 primary schools in An Giang and Thua Thien Hue provinces. Self-administered questionnaires were applied to measure the students’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on nutrition. Results show that pupils with good and average knowledge on proper meal and healthy food were 40.8% and 39.9%, respectively. The prevalence of subjects agreeing with the statement that a balanced, adequate and varied meal is beneficial to health was 84.5%. Pupils who had fast-food equal or more than 4 times per week were 9% of the sample. Pupils with good and average knowledge on proper meal were 3.43 times more likely to have fast-food less than 4 times per week than those with poor knowledge (OR=3.43, 95% CI= 2.06 – 5.73, p=.0001). Pupils’ knowledge on proper meal and healthy food is still limited. There is a relationship between students’ practices and their knowledge and attitudes on proper nutrition. It is necessary to improve the knowledge and practice of proper nutrition for pupil through extracurricular activities at school.