Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Examining Elementary School Children’S Knowledge About Food And Nutrition In Southwestern Ontario, Canada, Paige Colley, Jamie A. Seabrook, Sarah J. Woodruff, Jason Gilliland

Geography & Environment Publications

Purpose: Knowledge is fundamental to helping children make nutritional choices that support lifelong healthy behaviours. This study (i) investigates elementary school children’s knowledge about food and nutrition and (ii) identifies sociodemographic factors influencing children’s reported knowledge. Methods: In 2017–2019, a survey was administered to 2443 students (grades 5–8) at 60 schools across southwestern Ontario, Canada, and a parent survey was used to validate self-reported sociodemographics. Multiple regression was used to analyse children’s knowledge scores and related sociodemographic factors. A total knowledge score was calculated by summing correct responses derived from 46 individual questions in the student …