Original papers
The Effects of Dietary Education (Shokuiku) Using ‘Shokuiku Newsletters’ for Kindergarten Children and their Caregivers
2009 Volume 3 Issue 4 Pages 335-346
Details
2009 Volume 3 Issue 4 Pages 335-346
Objective :
To find an effective method of dietary education (so-called shokuiku) for kindergarten children and their caregivers
Methods :
Kindergarten children were divided into two groups : the intervention group and control group. Their caregivers (mostly mothers) of the intervention group were given information on shokuiku by periodic newsletters with a checklist. The effects of shokuiku was estimated after 6 months, performing a questionnaire on the dietary behaviour before and after the intervention.
Results :
1) There was a significant positive correlation between the frequency that the kindergarten children participated in serving the meal and clearing the table and looking forward to the meal, greeting at meal by themselves, and participating in cooking (p<0.01, respectively). In the caregivers, there was a significant positive correlation between the frequency that their kindergarten children participated in serving the meal and clearing the table and the knowledge of shokuiku (p<0.05), feeling of contentment on dietary life, the pleasure of dietary life,and being good at cooking (p<0.01, respectively).
2) After the intervention, kindergarten children of the intervention group who greeted at meal by themselves (itadakimasu and gochisogama), took three meals a day, ate local food and dishes and ceremonial dishes, served a meal and cleared the table, and participated in cooking were significantly increased. Caregivers who exploited the traditional local food and the culture and saw their dietary life in a new light were also increased.
3) The use of a check list was positively correlated with the 4 items of meal behaviour in kindergarten children, including looking forward to the meal and serving a meal and clearing the table, and with the 9 items of their caregivers.
Conclusion :
The shokuiku newsletters with a check list were useful for the improvement of eating behaviour of kindergarten children and their caregivers.
