Effect of Educational Booklet and Lecture on Nutritional Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Third-Grade Male Guidance School Students

Introduction: The roots of most inappropriate healthy behaviors originate from the experience of childhood and adolescence, and healthy nutrition during maturity period has an effective role on the human growth and health. Materials and Methods: In this semi experimental study the effect of various educational methods on nutritional knowledge, attitude and behaviors of guidance school students in Qom city in the years 2011-12 was evaluated and compared by using of a four-part questionnaire (demographic, knowledge, attitude and behavior characteristics). Three schools were selected by cluster sampling method and from each school, 110 students were randomly grouped (330 students) to control, booklet and lecture groups. Firstly, the questionnaires were completed by students as a pretest and then nutritional educational program was performed for three groups in three sessions and three months later the same questionnaires were used again. Results: Interventions caused significant increase in the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and behavior of two experimental groups (P0.05). The mean differencesof knowledge and attitude sections in lecture group were more statistically significant than booklet group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both educational methods increased the level of nutritional knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of students which was more significant in lecture group. Collectively, the results of this study demonstrated positive effects of educational health programs on promotion of nutritional knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of students. Therefore it is necessary to consider educational programsin order to improve nutritional behavior.