An investigation of the relationship between nutritional behaviours and nutritional self-efficacy in children

Abstract

Background In this study, we examined the nutritional behaviours of secondary school children and the factors affecting their nutritional self-efficacy as well as the relationship between nutritional behaviours and nutritional self-efficacy. Methods We determined from the BMIs of the 462 students participating in the study in the Fethiye district of Mugla province that 48.5% were underweight, 46.5% were normal and 5% were overweight. Results The participating children's grade in school and their father's education affected their nutritional behaviours. We observed at the same time that the 'child's grade in school', 'father's education' and 'income level' affected the 'Nutritional Self-Efficacy Scale' mean score. A positive and significant relationship was found between the Nutritional Self-Efficacy Scale and Nutritional Behaviour Scale mean scores of the children participating in the study. Conclusions We concluded that a useful recommendation for health professionals working in programmes aiming to improve children's eating habits would be to focus on initiatives that improve nutritional self-efficacy and nutritional behaviours.