Efficacy of snacking knowledge, attitude and practices (kap) through fun based learning among selected pre-adolescents (10-12 years)

Background: When compared with traditional instructional methods, fun-based learning promises a higher motivation of learners by presenting contents in an interactive, rule-based and competitive way providing fun along with learning the concept.
Aim: A Study was designed to find the efficacy of snack based knowledge, attitude and practices changes developed through fun based leaning among selected school going pre-adolescents studying in grade 5 to 7 from various board of schools in Coimbatore city. Methodology: The study was totally around 8 months, fun based intervention for the school going adolescents (10-12 years) constituting both boys and girls (N=384) with the multi- factorial study design. Three boards of schools namely Government (n=19), Government aided (n=82) and Matriculation (n=283). According to BMI percentiles, overweight and obese adolescents were only selected and further sub-divided into control group (n=192) and experimental group (n=192) by multi stage random sampling for the conduct of the study. Data was collected using a pretested, semi- structured schedule. Personal Information, socio-demographic profile, anthropometric measurements like height and weight were taken as per the standards and BMI percentiles was derived. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) on snacking pattern were collected. The study was carried out for 21 continuous working days and with repeated education on snack topics for 3 weeks were planned. Follow up’s for the assessment of snacking knowledge; attitude and practices immediately after, after one month and after 3 months and after 6 months of study was done.
Results/Findings: Majority of the school going adolescents selected for the study were in government aided (35%), followed by government (33%) and matriculation (32%) schools. Experimental groups 56.3% suffer from overweight and 43.7% from obesity totally whereas control group constitutes 51% from overweight and 49% obese.
Conclusion: Majority of selected adolescents have remarkable results after intervention in knowledge, attitude and practices. The developed nutrition games tool was effective in imparting nutrition education for the adolescents.