The effect of education on behavioral intention model of mothers’ attitude towards over weight preschool children's nutritional patterns

BACKGROUND Obesity and over weight is one of the causes of threatening children's present and future life. One of the factors that cause this problem is parents' attitude toward preschool children's nutritional patterns. Education can improve the parents' attitude and prevents from this big issue. This study aimed to assess changes in mother's attitude and behavioral intention using intention model. METHODS This was a semi-experimental study with pre-test, post test design. Forty-five mothers with overweight preschool children attended this study. Sampling was based on cluster randomize sampling method. The researcher-made questionnaire which was used in this study was standardized through content validity and test, re-test. RESULTS Comparing the pretest and posttest scores indicated a statistically significant difference in the attitude mean score. The findings of this study suggest that attitude and behavioral intention about nutritional patterns can be improved through parents' education based on behavioral intention model such as attitude, subjective norm and behavioral intention. CONCLUSIONS In order to have healthy children, parents should improve their knowledge about how they promote their attitude towards children's nutritional pattern. Therefore, new model of education can optimize correct healthy behavior.