IMPACT OF NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION ON DIETARY HABITS AND HEALTH STATUS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS: A HOME SCIENCE APPROACH

The period of transition from adolescence to young adulthood is a high-risk period for transitioning to lifelong dietary practices and behaviors; however, Indian college students face the double burden of undernutrition and the escalating threats of obesity. The present study has tried to see the effect of a home science-based module for nutrition education on college students’ dietary practices and health. A quasi-experimental design with pretest–posttest instruments and mixed methods was planned (200-250 participants). Data collection consisted of a KAP survey, dietary recall, anthropometry, and focus group discussion. A 6-week intervention focused on meal planning, portion literacy, and functional cooking skills that was underpinned by flipbooks and mobile reminders. Evidence from Indian studies also shows that such interventions can increase knowledge by 30-35% and improve breakfast behavior and vegetable consumption, but the impact on fruit consumption and biological outcome (BMI) is weak. The paper finds that integrating culturally adequate, skill-based nutrition education into the college curriculum could promote dietary behavior that is sustainable and enhance public health.