Effects of Using Health Behavior Modification Program on Knowledge, Behavior and Nutritional Status among Upper Elementary School Students

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study with a one-group pretest-posttest design aims to examine the effects of a health behavior modification program by comparing the health knowledge, health behavior, and weight of upper primary school children before and after participating in the program. The sample was purposively selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, which included 36 students in grades 4 to 6 who had normal nutritional status and above. Research instruments include a health knowledge questionnaire, a health behavior questionnaire, nutritional status assessment using a standard weighing scale, and a health behavior modification program based on the Health Belief Model. Content validity was verified with values of 0.84, 0.86, and 0.82, respectively. The reliability of the knowledge questionnaire was tested using the Kuder-Richardson formula (KR-20), yielding a value of 0.78. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.82 and 0.86. General data analysis was conducted by calculating frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation and comparing data using the paired sample t-test for inferential statistics.

Research findings indicated that after participating in the program, the sample group had significantly higher health knowledge and health behavior scores than before the program, with statistical significance at the 0.001 level (t = -6.568, p-value = 0.000; t = -2.471, p-value = 0.018). Additionally, after participating in the program, the sample group had a significantly lower average weight than before the program, with statistical significance at the 0.001 level (t= 5.227, p-value = 0.000). This suggests that the program for modifying health behaviors has an impact on weight reduction in upper elementary school children. However, parents and all involved parties must continue to monitor and supervise children's health behaviors to prevent and promote appropriate nutritional status for their age.