School Nutrition Paradox Among Adolescents: Knowledge and Behavioral Intention Toward Healthy Eating of Kageshwori Manohara Municipality

Abstract

Healthy eating is important for the all-round development of school-going children. The first objective of this study was to identify the key factors that influence adolescents' behavioral intentions to adopt healthy eating, their attitudes toward healthy eating, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms and environmental factors. Second objective was to explore the reasons behind the influence of the identified construct on healthy eating behavior. An explanatory sequential mixed method research design was conducted among 154 school students in Kageshwori Manohara Municipality. Quantitative data were collected using a self-administrated structured questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Socio-Ecological model, followed by Focus Group Discission (FDG) to explain the quantitative findings. Quantitative data were analyzed through multiple linear regression using the equation “ITHE =HEE”, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The result of this study was, among the TPB constructs, perceived behavioral control, social and environmental factors were showed the strongest positive association with healthy eating behavioral intention.The constructs of the TPB and socio-ecological model played an important role in shaping intentions, indicating the need for theory-based interventions that address behavioral, social, and environmental factors.