Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Practices Regardin Healthy Eating Among Mothers at the ‘‘Pan de Azúcar’’ Community Kitchen – Lima, 2023

Abstract

Healthy eating is a fundamental pillar for the physical and mental well-being of the population. In this context, mothers enrolled in food supplementation programs play a crucial role in meal preparation; therefore, it is important to strengthen their knowledge of nutrition and promote healthy eating practices. The objective was to determine the changes resulting from an educational intervention on knowledge and practices regarding healthy eating among mothers enrolled at the “Pan de Azúcar” community kitchen – Lima, 2023. This was a descriptive-correlational study with a quasi-experimental, longitudinal, and prospective design. The sample consisted of 43 mothers enrolled in the Food Supplementation Program. A survey technique was used, applying a pre- and post-intervention questionnaire validated by expert judges, in order to assess knowledge and practices related to healthy eating. In the pretest results, 46.5% (n=20) and 51.2% (n=22) showed low and moderate levels of knowledge and practices, respectively, while only 2.3% (n=1) demonstrated a high level of knowledge and practices. After the intervention, 67.4% (n=29) and 32.6% (n=14) demonstrated high and moderate levels of knowledge and practices, respectively. The Wilcoxon non-parametric test (p = 0.000) showed statistically significant changes. Conclusion: The educational intervention led to significant improvements in the nutritional knowledge and practices of mothers at the “Pan de Azúcar” community kitchen, located in the district of San Martín de Porres, Lima, 2023.