Development and Evaluation of a Nutrition Education Website for the Prevention and Management of Childhood Obesity

Article information

Korean J Community Nutr. 2012;17(4):390-406

Publication date (electronic) : 2012 August 31

doi : https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2012.17.4.390

Miyong Yon , Chan Park ¹, Kwan-Hee Yoo ¹, Taisun Hyun ²

Nutrition Policy Team, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Chungbuk, Korea.

¹Department of Digital Informatics & Convergence, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.

²Department of Food and Nutrition, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.

Corresponding author: Taisun Hyun, Department of Food and Nutrition, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Korea. Tel: (043) 261-2790, Fax: (043) 267-2742, taisun@chungbuk.ac.kr

Received 2012 August 08; Revised 2012 August 23; Accepted 2012 August 23.

Abstract

Childhood obesity has rapidly increased worldwide and is one of the most serious health problems in this age group. In order to prevent and manage childhood obesity, we developed a nutrition education website. The website consisted of three parts. The first part was made for self-assessment with regard to obesity index, dietary habits, food frequency, dietary attitude, nutrition knowledge, nutrient intake, energy expenditure, and the stage of behavioral change, and tailored messages and advice according to the assessment results. A total of 612 real-size food photos as well as a nutrient database of 3,346 foods and 541 dishes were created to help children estimate nutrient intakes accurately. In addition, an energy expenditure database of 156 activities for children was established to calculate calorie consumption. The second part was made for setting long-term and short-term goals and keeping track of the changes in energy intake and expenditure in one's own page. The third part was made for education. Various types of nutrition information were provided; texts, pictures, calculators and games. The readability and design of the website were evaluated by 46 obese children. Usefulness, design and readability of the website were found to be desirable for children. This website is expected to be used by an obese child alone or with parents or nutrition teachers in order to control body weight through healthy dietary habits and physical activities. In addition, a non-obese child can also use this website for maintaining healthy dietary habits and preventing obesity.

Keywords: childhood obesity; weight control; nutrition education; website

Notes

This work was supported by the Korea Research Foundation Grant funded by Korea Government (MOEHRD, Basic Reseach Promotion Fund) (KRF-2005-204-C00102).

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