As practitioners dedicated to enhancing the well-being and academic performance of children, it is crucial to utilize evidence-based strategies to promote healthy behaviors. One such behavior is breakfast consumption, which has been shown to significantly impact students' health and learning capabilities. A recent study titled Investigation of educational intervention based on Theory of Planned Behavior on breakfast consumption among middle school students of Qom City in 2012 provides valuable insights into how educational interventions can be structured to improve breakfast-eating habits among students.
Understanding the Study
The study conducted in Qom City focused on sixth-grade students and aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in promoting breakfast consumption. The intervention included various educational methods such as speeches, discussion groups, pamphlets, and posters, targeting both students and their parents.
Key Findings
The study revealed several critical outcomes:
- Before the educational intervention, only 36.7% of students in the experimental group were eating breakfast at least once a week.
- After the intervention, this figure slightly decreased to 32.7%, but there was a significant improvement in the mean scores of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, intention, and practice of eating breakfast in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
- No significant difference was found in the mean scores of subjective norms between the experimental and control groups post-intervention (P = 0.26).
Implications for Practitioners
The study's findings underscore the importance of a multifaceted approach when designing educational interventions to promote healthy eating behaviors. Here are some actionable steps for practitioners:
- Utilize the Theory of Planned Behavior: Focus on changing attitudes, enhancing perceived behavioral control, and strengthening intentions towards eating breakfast. While subjective norms did not show significant change, addressing peer and family influences remains crucial.
- Engage Multiple Stakeholders: Involve parents, teachers, and peer groups in the educational process to create a supportive environment for behavior change.
- Incorporate Varied Educational Methods: Use a combination of speeches, group discussions, pamphlets, and posters to cater to different learning preferences and reinforce the message.
- Follow-Up and Evaluate: Conduct follow-up assessments to evaluate the long-term impact of the intervention and make necessary adjustments.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides valuable insights, it also highlights areas for further research. Future studies could explore the long-term effects of such interventions, the role of subjective norms in greater detail, and the impact of socio-economic and cultural factors on breakfast consumption.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Investigation of educational intervention based on Theory of Planned Behavior on breakfast consumption among middle school students of Qom City in 2012.
