EMPOWERING PARENTS THROUGH NUTRITION EDUCATION : A RESEARCH STUDY ON PROMOTING HEALTHY EATING HABITS IN CHILDREN

The research study “Empowering Parents through Nutrition Education: Promoting Healthy Eating Habits in Children” aims to enhance parents' awareness and understanding of nutrition information on food labels to support healthier food choices for children. Nutrition labels serve as an essential tool for informed dietary decisions, yet many parents lack adequate knowledge to interpret them effectively. This study developed and implemented instructional material focused on key components of food labeling, including serving size, calorie requirements, sugar content in beverages, sodium in snacks, and overall nutritional values. A pre-test/post-test research design was conducted with 100 parents, using a structured questionnaire divided into four sections relating to food label information, precautionary measures while purchasing packaged foods and calorie requirements for adolescents. Statistical analysis using mean, standard deviation, and t-test demonstrated significant improvement in parents' awareness after sensitization across most areas: precautionary points during purchase, calorie requirements for 13–15-year-olds, and reading nutritional information. However, no significant difference was observed in general awareness about food label information. The findings indicate that instructional materials are effective in empowering parents with practical knowledge required for fostering healthy dietary behaviors in children. The study emphasizes the need for continued parental education and utilization of instructional manuals to support informed nutritional choices, prevent lifestyle-related diseases, and raise health-conscious children.