Researchers in Peru tested whether a short nutrition class could help 10-12 year old students make better food choices. They taught one group of students about healthy eating for 2 months with six lessons, while another group didn’t receive the lessons. After the program ended, the students who took the class showed real improvements in their eating habits compared to those who didn’t. This suggests that even short, simple nutrition lessons in schools can help young people develop healthier eating patterns, which is important since many kids today struggle with weight problems.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether teaching kids about nutrition in school could help them eat better foods and develop healthier eating habits
  • Who participated: 24 students aged 10-12 years old from a public school in Lima, Peru. Half received nutrition lessons (16 students) and half did not (8 students)
  • Key finding: Students who received the nutrition education program significantly improved their eating habits, while the control group showed no improvement. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.004), meaning this result was very unlikely to happen by chance
  • What it means for you: Short nutrition classes in schools may help kids make better food choices. If you’re a parent, teacher, or student, this suggests that simple nutrition education can work. However, this is an early-stage study with a small group, so more research is needed before drawing firm conclusions

The Research Details

This was a quasi-experimental study, which means researchers divided students into two groups but didn’t randomly assign them. One group received a nutrition education program lasting 2 months with six lessons, while the other group continued with their normal school routine. Both groups answered questions about their eating habits before the program started and again after it ended. This before-and-after approach helps researchers see if the lessons actually changed eating behaviors.

The researchers used simple random sampling to select 24 students from a public school in Lima, Peru. They created an eating habits questionnaire to measure what students ate and their food choices. The educational program focused on teaching students about nutrition and healthy eating in an accessible, age-appropriate way.

Schools are ideal places to teach kids about healthy eating because students spend a lot of time there and are still developing their habits. This study design allows researchers to see if the nutrition lessons actually caused the improvements in eating habits by comparing students who received the lessons to those who didn’t. The before-and-after measurements show whether real change occurred

This is a preliminary study, meaning it’s an early exploration of the topic with a small sample size. The experimental group had 16 students and the control group had 8 students, which is relatively small. The study was conducted in one school in Peru, so results may not apply everywhere. The quasi-experimental design is less rigorous than a fully randomized study, but it’s practical for school settings. The fact that both groups started out similar (p = 0.928) is a good sign that the comparison is fair

What the Results Show

The main finding was that students who received the nutrition education program showed significant improvement in their eating habits. The study measured eating habits before and after the 2-month program and found that the experimental group’s scores improved meaningfully (p < 0.05, meaning there’s less than a 5% chance this happened by accident).

When researchers compared the two groups after the program ended, the students who received the nutrition lessons had significantly better eating habits than those who didn’t (p = 0.004). This is a strong result because the p-value is very small, indicating the difference is very unlikely to be due to chance.

Importantly, both groups started out with similar eating habits before the program began (p = 0.928), which means any differences after the program were likely caused by the nutrition lessons rather than the groups being different to start with.

The control group (students who didn’t receive the nutrition lessons) showed no significant improvement in their eating habits over the same time period. This is important because it suggests that simply waiting 2 months doesn’t automatically improve eating habits—the lessons appear to be what made the difference

This research supports what other studies have found: nutrition education in schools can help improve how kids eat. Schools have been identified as good places for these programs because young people are there regularly and are still forming their eating habits. This study adds to growing evidence that even brief, focused nutrition programs can create real changes in student behavior

This is a small preliminary study with only 24 students total, so the results may not apply to all kids everywhere. The study was conducted in one school in Lima, Peru, so cultural and regional differences might affect whether similar results would happen in other places. The control group was smaller (8 students) than the experimental group (16 students), which could affect comparisons. The study only measured eating habits for 2 months, so we don’t know if improvements lasted longer. The researchers didn’t describe exactly what questions they asked about eating habits, making it harder to understand what ‘improved eating habits’ means in detail

The Bottom Line

Based on this preliminary evidence, schools should consider implementing brief nutrition education programs for students aged 10-12 years. The confidence level is moderate because this is an early-stage study with a small sample. Parents and educators can feel reasonably optimistic that nutrition lessons can help kids develop better eating habits, but should recognize this is not yet definitive proof. More research with larger groups and longer follow-up periods would strengthen these recommendations

This research matters most for school administrators, teachers, and parents of children aged 10-12 years. It’s particularly relevant in communities where childhood overweight and obesity are concerns. Public health officials should pay attention because it suggests schools are effective settings for prevention programs. Students themselves should care because it shows that learning about nutrition can actually change their eating habits. This may be less directly applicable to very young children or teenagers older than 12, though the principles might transfer

Based on this study, students showed measurable improvements in eating habits within 2 months of receiving the nutrition education program. However, this is the shortest timeframe measured. Real-world benefits might take a few weeks to become noticeable as students start making different food choices. The study didn’t follow students after the program ended, so we don’t know if improvements lasted months or years later

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food choices by logging meals and snacks for 1-2 weeks before starting a nutrition program, then again after 2-4 weeks of learning about healthy eating. Measure specific changes like: number of servings of fruits/vegetables eaten daily, number of sugary drinks consumed, or number of home-cooked meals versus processed foods
  • Use the app to set one specific eating goal based on what you learn about nutrition (for example: ’eat vegetables with lunch 5 days this week’ or ‘drink water instead of soda 3 times this week’). Start with just one goal, track it daily, and celebrate when you succeed. After 2 weeks, add another goal if the first one feels easy
  • Create a simple weekly check-in where you review your food choices and rate your eating habits on a scale of 1-10. Take a screenshot or note your score each week to see your progress over 2-3 months. Share your progress with a friend or family member for accountability, similar to how the school program provided structured support

This is a preliminary research study with a small sample size conducted in one school in Peru. The findings suggest that nutrition education may help improve eating habits in young people, but this is not yet definitive proof. Individual results may vary based on age, location, cultural background, and other factors. This research should not replace personalized advice from a doctor, registered dietitian, or healthcare provider. Parents and educators should consult with qualified nutrition professionals before implementing nutrition programs. If you have concerns about a child’s eating habits or weight, please speak with a healthcare provider who can provide individualized guidance