Ecological System Theory (EST) and Community Participation to Promote Healthy Food Environments for Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Prevention among School-age Children

• Main Author: Suwannawong P.R.
• Other Authors: Mahidol University
• Format: Article
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Nursing
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/82187

Objectives: To implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the community participatory program between school and family based on Ecological System Theory and Participatory Action Research. The intervention covers three levels at the individual, family and school levels comprising educating students and parents by using technologies, reducing sedentary behaviors, increasing exercise and changing to healthy food environments at school and home. Design: A quasi-experimental design was used in this study. Setting: Public primary school in Thailand. Subjects: The participants in the study were 138 school-age children in Grades 2-6 with their parents/guardians. The control group was 134 school-age children at a school of the same size with their parents/guardians. Results: Results shows that nutritional status is significantly improve within experimental group (p-value = 0.000) and between group during follow up (p-value = 0.032). Students’ knowledge about obesity and non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) prevention as well as the physical activity and exercise behaviors in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (P-value = 0.000 and 0.044, respectively). Parents’ perception of child obesity and the family modelling behaviors in the experimental group were also significantly higher than the control group; P-value = 0.013 and 0.000, respectively). Conclusion: The community participation program was found to be successful. Not only students, families and schools improved health behaviors and healthy food environments at home and school, but the students’ long-term nutritional status also improved.