Researchers studied how 1,037 Italian students aged 8-14 eat and exercise, and whether a school nutrition program called MaestraNatura could help them make healthier choices. They found that boys and girls have different eating habits—girls eat more vegetables and nuts, while boys drink more water and eat more store-bought cookies. Boys also exercise more than girls. When students participated in the nutrition program for two years, they ate more fruits, vegetables, and water, and ate fewer junk snacks. The study suggests that teaching kids about healthy eating in school can actually change their habits for the better.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How boys and girls in elementary and middle school eat differently, whether they follow healthy eating guidelines, and whether a school nutrition education program can improve their eating and exercise habits.
  • Who participated: 1,037 students between ages 8-14 from schools across 6 regions in Italy, plus 220 of their parents. A smaller group of 158 middle school students was tracked for two years in the nutrition program.
  • Key finding: Boys and girls eat differently in several ways: girls eat more vegetables and nuts, boys drink more water and eat more packaged cookies. Boys also exercise more than girls. After two years in the nutrition program, students significantly increased their water, fruit, vegetable, and legume intake while decreasing junk snacks and increasing physical activity.
  • What it means for you: School nutrition programs can actually work to help kids eat better and exercise more. If your child’s school offers similar programs, it may be worth encouraging participation. However, this study was done in Italy, so results might differ in other countries with different food cultures.

The Research Details

This was an observational study, meaning researchers watched and recorded what students did rather than randomly assigning them to different groups. Students and their parents filled out questionnaires about what they ate, how much water they drank, and how much they exercised. The researchers compared answers between boys and girls, and between different age groups. For a smaller group of 158 middle school students, the researchers collected information before the students started the MaestraNatura nutrition program and again after two years of the program to see if their habits changed.

The researchers used statistical tests to figure out if the differences they found between boys and girls were real or just happened by chance. They also checked how well students followed the official Italian dietary guidelines, which recommend eating certain amounts of different food groups.

This type of study is important because it shows real-world eating habits of actual kids in schools, not just what happens in a controlled lab setting. By tracking the same students over two years, researchers could see whether the nutrition program actually changed their behavior over time. Understanding that boys and girls eat differently helps schools design better nutrition programs that address each group’s specific needs.

The study included a large number of students (over 1,000), which makes the findings more reliable. The researchers used standardized questionnaires and proper statistical methods. However, the study relied on students and parents remembering and honestly reporting what they ate, which can be inaccurate. The two-year follow-up group was smaller (158 students), so those results are less certain. The study was done only in Italy, so the results might not apply to other countries with different foods and cultures.

What the Results Show

When comparing all the students surveyed, boys and girls showed similar overall adherence to healthy eating guidelines, but they differed in specific foods. Girls ate more vegetables and nuts compared to boys, while boys drank more water and ate more commercial cookies and packaged snacks. Boys were also more physically active than girls, participating in more exercise and sports.

The most important finding came from students who participated in the MaestraNatura program for two consecutive years. These students showed meaningful improvements in their eating habits: they drank significantly more water, ate more vegetables, fruits, and legumes (beans and lentils), and ate fewer packaged snacks and cookies. Additionally, these students increased their physical activity levels. These changes suggest that the nutrition education program successfully influenced students’ daily choices.

The study found that parents’ eating habits appeared to influence what their children ate, though the exact relationship wasn’t fully explored. The research also showed that the benefits of the nutrition program were sustained over the two-year period, suggesting that repeated education and reinforcement help maintain healthy changes. The program appeared to work for both boys and girls, though the study didn’t specifically analyze whether one gender benefited more than the other.

This research aligns with previous studies showing that school-based nutrition programs can improve children’s eating habits. The finding that boys and girls eat differently matches other research suggesting that gender influences food preferences and physical activity levels in children. However, this study provides new information about how these differences appear in Italian children specifically and confirms that sustained education programs (two years) produce better results than shorter interventions.

The study relied on questionnaires where students and parents reported their own eating and exercise habits, which can be inaccurate because people may forget what they ate or not report honestly. The study was conducted only in Italy, so the results may not apply to children in other countries with different food cultures and availability. The group that was tracked for two years (158 students) was much smaller than the initial group, which makes those findings less certain. The study didn’t have a comparison group of students who didn’t participate in the program, so we can’t be completely sure the program caused the improvements rather than other factors.

The Bottom Line

If your child’s school offers a nutrition education program similar to MaestraNatura, it appears worthwhile to encourage participation. The evidence suggests such programs can help children develop healthier eating habits and increase physical activity. Parents should also model healthy eating and exercise habits at home, as the study suggests parents influence children’s choices. Consider encouraging your daughter to eat more vegetables and nuts, and your son to reduce packaged snacks. Confidence level: Moderate (based on observational data from one country).

Parents of children ages 8-14 should care about these findings, especially if their child’s school is considering or offering nutrition education programs. Teachers and school administrators can use this research to justify investing in nutrition education. Girls might benefit from encouragement to be more physically active, while boys might benefit from guidance on reducing packaged snacks. Children with dietary restrictions or medical conditions should consult their doctor before making changes.

Based on this study, meaningful changes in eating habits appeared after two years of consistent nutrition education. You shouldn’t expect overnight changes—healthy habit formation takes time. Students in the program showed gradual improvements over the two-year period, suggesting that patience and consistent reinforcement are important.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily water intake (in cups or bottles), servings of vegetables and fruits, and minutes of physical activity. Set weekly goals like ‘drink 6 glasses of water daily’ or ’eat vegetables at 5 meals this week’ and monitor progress.
  • Use the app to set reminders for drinking water throughout the day, log meals to see vegetable and fruit intake, and track exercise minutes. Create challenges with friends or family members to make healthy eating and activity more fun and social.
  • Review weekly summaries of water intake, produce consumption, and physical activity. Compare current habits to previous weeks to see progress. Set new goals every month as habits improve. Share results with parents or a health coach for accountability and support.

This research describes eating habits and the effects of a nutrition program in Italian children and may not apply to all populations. The findings are based on self-reported information, which can be inaccurate. Before making significant changes to your child’s diet or exercise routine, especially if they have any medical conditions, food allergies, or are taking medications, consult with your pediatrician or a registered dietitian. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.