Improving the diet of toddlers of Pakistani origin: a study of intensive dietary health education.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether an intensive, home-based programme of dietary health education resulted in improved maternal knowledge and changes in toddlers' diets in families of Pakistani origin.

DESIGN

Prospective intervention study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The study took place in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England. Thirty-three mothers, whose toddlers had been found to be anaemic, entered the programme; 26 completed it. Dietary health education was delivered by a trained link worker, supported by health visitors, a dietitian and a community paediatrician.

INTERVENTION

Six one-hour visits were made at weekly intervals. The teaching programme focused on healthy weaning, with an emphasis on adequate intake of iron-rich foods. A purpose-designed pictorial teaching aid was used.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Maternal knowledge was assessed by targeted questions. Children's diets were assessed using 24-hour dietary recall and weekly food frequency, from which a "food frequency" score was derived.

RESULTS

There were significant gains in maternal dietary knowledge. There were modest improvements in children's diets. The programme was valued by the mothers.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers of Pakistani origin gained knowledge and changed their children's diets following the dietary health education programme. The study demonstrated the value of a home-based programme delivered by a trained link worker to this group, which has difficulty in accessing clinic-based services.