~ 284 ~ International Journal of Home Science 2016; 2(1): 284-288 ISSN: 2395-7476 IJHS 2016; 2(1): 284-288 © 2016 IJHS www.homesciencejournal.com Received: 27-11-2015 Accepted: 29-12-2015 Swati Vyas Senior Asst Professor, Department of Food and Nutrition, The IIS University, ICG College Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Priya Maheshwari Research Scholar, Department of Food and Nutrition, The IIS University, ICG College Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Correspondence Swati Vyas Senior Asst Professor, Department of Food and Nutrition, The IIS University, ICG College Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Development and implementation of a need felt nutrition and health education program for school going children (7-9 Years) Swati Vyas, Priya Maheshwari Abstract Good nutrition promotes not only better physical health and reduced susceptibility to disease, but also contributes to cognitive development and academic success of children. Effective nutrition education helps to shape environmental factors and assists children in developing the skills needed to select healthy diets. The present research was implemented in Gyan Vidya Mandir School located in Sanganer Kachhi Basti of Jaipur city. A sample of 50 children aged 7-9 years were selected. Existing knowledge and health care practices were assessed with help of Questionnaire. A need based nutrition and health education programme was implemented with the help of well designed Information Education and Communication (IEC) material. Prior to intervention children had no knowledge about nutrition; food groups or water borne infections (20%); post intervention statically significant improvement in knowledge levels were observed. After the completion of intervention phase, 74% children were able to identify nutrients; 88% were able to identify food group. In pre intervention phase only 38% children said that physical activity is necessary, post intervention this number raised to 62%. Initially the subjects did not gave due importance to bathing post intervention 96% children started bathing regularly. The present study concludes that an effective nutrition education can be continued in school curriculum and can prove to be an effective means for improving the nutritional status of school-age children. Improving nutrition among school going children considered in a life course perspective which will benefit the health and nutrition of the next generation too. Keywords: Health care practices, Information Education and Communication (IEC), Malnutrition, Educational Intervention Introduction Malnutrition plagues a disproportionately large number of children in India compared with most other countries. Malnutrition is more common in India than in Sub-Saharan Africa. One in every three malnourished children in the world lives in India. Malnutrition limits development and the capacity to learn. It also costs lives: about 50 per cent of all childhood deaths are attributed to malnutrition [2] . In most of the world, malnutrition is present in the form of under-nutrition, which is caused by a diet lacking adequate calories and protein. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is the gravest single threat to global public health [3] . Nutrition Education is the process by which people gain the knowledge, attitude and skills necessary for developing good dietary habits [4, 5] . Nutrition education has the potential to significantly alter the behavior patterns of pupils and can thereby lead to improved outlook on nutrition and hygiene [6] . Nutrition knowledge is most effective if there is a supportive environment and if it is linked with practical food, nutritional and environmental activities [7] . Studies suggest that nutrition knowledge may play a small but pivotal role in the adoption of healthier food habits [8] . Nutritional and health status are powerful influences on a child’s learning and on how well a child performs in school. Common conditions of poor health and nutrition can affect education in a number of ways. This may have knock-on effects for their educational achievement and attainment, particularly where effects of disease and poor nutrition on brain development persist as cognitive impairments or emotional problems throughout the school-age years [11] . Schools are potentially excellent settings for nutrition education the school environment can