AbstractThe present study was undertaken to study the effect of nutrition education, package on nutritional awareness of rural school going children. A total sample of 80 rural school going children of 11-13 years of age were randomly selected from Shendra village of Parbhani district of Maharashtra state. Information was collected on nutritional awareness among rural school going children using personal interview method. Nutrition education was imparted through developed nutrition games. The result of the study indicated that, before imparting the nutrition education < 13 per cent children had the awareness regarding nutrient content of various food groups. On the other hand, it was found that the knowledge of school going children improved remarkably after giving nutrition education. Only < 8 per cent school going children had knowledge about importance and rich sources of protein and vit. A but after imparting the nutrition education 95 and 100 per cent children were aware about it. Almost all the selected school going children were not having the knowledge about the nutrient deficiency disorder while after the nutrition education more than 95 per cent children stated the name of the disorder causing due to deficiency of protein, calcium, iron and Vitamin A. In conclusion it can be said that, nutrition related messages given in the form of nutrition games were successfully transmitted and well received by the target groups of children and had a positive effect in raising the level of awareness of various aspects of nutrition.
Keywords: School Going Children; Nutrition Games; Nutrition Education; Nutrition Knowledge.