title: The Effect of nutrition education on knowledge, attitude, and performance about junk food consumption among students of female primary schools.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Undoubtedly, proper nutrition has important role in safeguarding the individual from many diseases, especially chronic ones, and increasing ones physical and intellectual efficiency. Considering the importance of nutrition education to school-age kids, this research was done with the purpose of determining the effect of nutrition education on the knowledge, attitude, and performance of female students at primary school about junk food consumption.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an experimental intervention study in Shahr-e-kord city about the reduction of junk foods consumption in 2011. Seventy-two primary girl students were randomly divided into 2 groups, experimental (36) and controls (36). Before of the educational program, self-administrative questionnaire and FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire) questionnaire were filled out for both the groups. The self-administrative questionnaire was completed 3 times (before, immediately, and 2 months after education), and FFQ questionnaire was completed 2 times (before and 2 months after education) by students. After pre-test, 4 educational session classes in experimental group were performed. Finally, data were collected and analyzed by SPSS 16 computer software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic variables of the studied population in 2 groups were similar. Before intervention, there were no significant differences regarding the knowledge, attitude, and performance in 2 groups (P > 0/05). After intervention, there were significant differences in the levels of knowledge, attitude, and performance between experimental and control groups (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results, intervention has positive impact on pattern of nutrition, and it can be concluded that intervention is effective on increasing or improving the knowledge, attitude, and performance of the students.
authors.affiliation: Chronic Disease (home care) Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Esmaeili
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Vardanjani
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahnoush
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Homamodin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Javadzade
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, School of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
authors.forename: Zabihollah Gharli
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Pour
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Elahe
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tavassoli
keywords: Attitude; education; junk food; knowledge; performance