Assessment of Nutritional Health Education and Its Impact on Dietary Practices of Primary School Children in Enugu State

Childhood malnutrition, encompassing both undernutrition and overnutrition, continues to affect school performance and long-term health outcomes among Nigerian children. This study assessed the impact of nutritional health education on the dietary practices of primary school children in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected from 260 pupils in classes four to six across six randomly selected public primary schools in Enugu North and Igbo-Eze South local government areas. Structured questionnaires were administered to pupils, while dietary 24-hour recall forms and observational checklists were used to assess food consumption patterns. Results showed that nutritional health education delivered through the school feeding programme and classroom instruction significantly improved children's knowledge of food groups and balanced diets. However, application of this knowledge in daily dietary practice was limited by household poverty, cultural food preferences, and the availability of processed snacks near school premises. Approximately 61 percent of children consumed meals with inadequate fruit and vegetable portions. The study recommended strengthening the school health programme by training teachers in basic nutrition education and integrating practical nutrition activities such as school gardens. Health education should also target parents through parent-teacher associations. Keywords: nutritional health education, dietary practices, primary school children, Enugu State, school health