Online Education on Sustainable Nutrition Affects Women's Sustainable Eating Behavior and Anthropometric Measures

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of online sustainable nutrition education (SNE) on sustainable eating behaviors and anthropometric measurements in women.

Design: In the research, a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used for groups that were subjected to two different trainings.

Sample: In the education group, 34 and in the control group, 51 women that between the ages of 19-50 years from six Women's Education and Culture Centers of Ankara Altındağ Municipality.

Intervention: After the pretest, the Healthy Nutrition Education (HNE) group received one session of education on "healthy eating" in the second week of the study, while the SNE group received one session of education on "healthy eating" in the second week and "sustainable nutrition" in the third and fourth weeks. Participants were given SNE and its effectiveness was evaluated after 10 weeks.

Results: At the end of 10 weeks, body fat percentage decreased significantly from 35.0 ± 6.7 to 33.7 ± 6.8 in the SNE group (p = 0.007). In addition, muscle mass (kg) increased significantly from 43.4[6] to 44.7[5.2] in the SNE group (p = 0.001). When covariance analysis was performed by correcting for body mass index, the group factor had an effect on body fat percentage and muscle mass (p = 0.035 and p = 0.007, respectively). After 10 weeks, the SNE group had a higher Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors Scale mean score (p = 0.013), seasonal foods and avoiding food waste (p = 0.044), animal health (p = 0.003), reducing meat consumption (p = 0.022), healthy and balanced nutrition (p = 0.031), and low fat (p < 0.001) scores compared to HNE group.

Conclusions: The dissemination of structured nutrition education for women is important for individuals and, thus, society to acquire and maintain positive eating practices that have an impact on physical health.