Evaluation of a nutrition education component nested in the NutriSTEP Project

Purpose: Parents’ health literacy skills include food and nutrition knowledge, as well as the ability to read, comprehend, and use information related to their children’s health. The evaluation of a nutrition education booklet within the NutriSTEP™ ( Nutri tion S creening T ool for E very P reschooler) Project was conducted. Parents’ nutrition education needs and their sources of nutrition information were also assessed. Methods: Eight dietitians from four provinces conducted in-person interviews with a sample of 322 parents. Parents were asked their perception of the booklet and reported learning. Dietitians’ written feedback on the booklet and their recorded comments and nutrition advice to parents were gathered. Results: Collated feedback led to significant revisions to the booklet. Parents reported increased knowledge from the booklet; 38% wanted more information on nutrition, while 25% wanted to know more about preschoolers and physical activity. The top three sources of nutrition advice for this parent sample were physicians, dietitians, and public health units. Conclusions: Written materials must be evaluated with the target audience to improve readability and comprehension. Further nutrition education efforts should be targeted through parents’ main sources of nutrition information. Further research is needed on nutrition education intervention effectiveness to promote positive health outcomes.