The Effect of Printed Materials about Staple Foods, Main Dishes and Side Dishes on the Dietary Behavior of Children : An Attempt to Cooperate with Guardians

Abstract

We examined the effect of printed materials about staple foods, main dishes and side dishes on the dietary behavior of fifth grade children of five elementary schools in Osaka City. The subjects were divided into two groups : those with and those without cooperating guardians. In the group with cooperating guardians, the children showed their guardians the distributed printed materials and asked for a signature. In the group without cooperating guardians, only the children received the distributed printed materials.

We conducted a questionnaire survey before and after distribution of the printed materials and analyzed data of 200 children (105 boys and 95 girls). The group with cooperating guardians showed an increase in the dinner pattern consisting of staple foods, main dishes and side dishes. The situation regarding utilization of the printed materials was better in the group with cooperating guardians than in the group without cooperating guardians, and the results suggested that cooperation of guardians not only allowed information to be provided to them but also raised the awareness of children. However, in the group without cooperating guardians, distribution of printed materials did not have an effect on the dietary behavior of children.

The printed materials had a limited effect on the dietary behavior of children related to staple foods, main dishes and side dishes. Additional studies about more effective utilization of the printed materials method are required.