Abstract:

Introduction:
MEAL Project (543535-LLP-1-2013-1-ES-KA3-KA3MP) is aimed to develop a pedagogical platform in order to help teachers and nutritionist to acquire and transfer NE (Nutrition Education) in children between 9 to 12 years old. In order to design the components of this NE platform, six focus groups were carried out with teachers and nutritionists in to know their preferences, needs, and their opinion about children’s needs. The aim of this work is to present these results. Method: Six focus groups were conducted in 2 School and 2 Nutritionists Centers, in Norway and 2 Schools and 2 Nutritionists Centers, in Spain.

Participants:
The total sample was composed by 32 professionals (21 nutritionists and 11 teachers).

Procedure:
Each focus group session was supervised by 3 psychologists (a moderator, and 2 assistants), lasting 90 minutes aprox. The moderator asked several open questions to discuss in the group: how participants perceive the importance of general NE, the relevance of the use of ICTs to transfer NE, the opinions, attitudes and preferences of the participants about MEAL project, etc.

Results:
Both teachers and nutritionists considered relevant teaching NE in children between 9 to 12 years old to promote healthy eating habits. Participants indicated that ICTs are useful tools for delivering these programs to children, as they can promote their learning motivation. Finally, regarding the contents which should be included in NE program, participants indicated the following topics: nutritional components of food, Food Pyramid, the influence of the physical activity over the healthy lifestyle, the impact of the diet on health, food recipes, styles of intake, false beliefs about food, meal planning, food shopping, and food handling.

Conclusion:
Results obtained in these focus groups sessions provided useful information to design and to structure the NE program to be included in the MEAL web platform. Acknowledgement: CIBER Obn Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición

Keywords:

Nutritional Education, focus groups, teachers and nutritionists, ICTs.