Giocampus school: a "learning through playing" approach to deliver nutritional education to children. (17th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosi, Alice; Brighenti, Furio; Finistrella, Viviana; Ingrosso, Lisa; Monti, Giorgia; Vanelli, Maurizio; Vitale, Marco; Volta, Elio; Scazzina, Francesca
• Is Part Of: International journal of food sciences and nutrition. Volume 67:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2016-02-17
• Subjects: Edutainment -- healthy eating -- Master of Taste -- nutrition literacy -- primary school; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 641.3
• DOI: 10.3109/09637486.2016.1144720
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-7486

Abstract

Abstract: To improve nutritional knowledge of children, single-group educational interventions with pre/post knowledge assessment were performed in primary schools in Parma, Italy, participating to the Giocampus Program. A total of 8165 children (8–11 years old) of 3rd, 4th and 5th grades of primary school were involved in 3 hours per class nutritional lessons, with specifically designed games and activities for each school grade. To evaluate children learning, a questionnaire was administered before and after three months of educational intervention. A total of 16330 questionnaires were analysed. Children nutritional knowledge significantly increased ( p < 0.001) in all school grades. The integrated "learning through playing" approach, including the educational figures, tools and games, was successful in improving children's nutritional knowledge. A stable integration of this method in primary school settings could prepare a new generation of citizens, better educated on health-promotion lifestyles.