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Nutrients
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Health Promotion in School-Aged Children: Lifestyle Factors, Interventions, and Health...
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Health Promotion in School-Aged Children: Lifestyle Factors, Interventions, and Health Outcomes

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional Policies and Education for Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2025 | Viewed by 1921

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Rafaela Rosário

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Escola Superior de Enfermagem, Universidade do Minho, Edifício 4, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: nursing; overweight; obesity; health promotion; health education; school; children
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Health promotion among school-aged children is a vital component of public health, addressing a range of factors that influence their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Schools serve as an effective setting for implementing initiatives aimed at fostering healthy behaviors, including nutrition, physical activity, mental health awareness, and sleep hygiene. These interventions are critical for preventing chronic diseases, enhancing academic performance, and supporting holistic development.

Lifestyle factors, such as dietary patterns, physical activity levels, and sleep quality, play a central role in shaping children’s health. For instance, research examining the impact of food consumption on children’s health provides actionable insights for both policy and practice. This Special Issue aims to explore diverse aspects of health promotion in school settings, focusing not only on the outcomes of specific interventions but also on their broader implications for equity, community engagement, and the overall well-being of children and adolescents.

Prof. Dr. Rafaela Rosário
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • health promotion
  • school-aged children
  • nutrition
  • physical activity
  • mental health
  • dietary patterns
  • sleep quality

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 2627 KiB  
Article
A Food-Based Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics Learning Program May Improve Preschool Children’s Science Knowledge and Language Skills in Rural North Carolina
by Virginia C. Stage, Jocelyn B. Dixon, Pauline Grist, Qiang Wu, Archana V. Hegde, Tammy D. Lee, Ryan Lundquist and L. Suzanne Goodell
Nutrients 2025, 17(9), 1523; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091523 - 30 Apr 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Early childhood represents a sensitive period for developing positive dietary preferences and important school readiness skills. However, few evidence-based programs leverage opportunities to support children’s development in both areas. Our study aimed to assess the preliminary effects of multi-level, teacher-led More [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Early childhood represents a sensitive period for developing positive dietary preferences and important school readiness skills. However, few evidence-based programs leverage opportunities to support children’s development in both areas. Our study aimed to assess the preliminary effects of multi-level, teacher-led More PEAS Please! on Head Start children’s (3–5 years old) science knowledge, development of academic language, fruit-and-vegetable (FV) liking, and dietary quality. Methods: In this pilot study, we used a repeated-measure research design to assess child-level outcomes. Trained teachers implemented 16 food-based science-learning activities. We assessed child outcomes using validated measures of science knowledge, academic language, FV liking, and dietary quality (Veggie Meter®). We used linear mixed models to examine changes from the baseline to post intervention. Fixed effects included age, sex, and race/ethnicity, while the center was treated as a random effect. Results: A total of 273 children were enrolled in the study. The children were mostly male (51.6%), Black/African American (82.1%) and, on average, 3.94 (SD = 0.70) years old. The children demonstrated significant improvements in science knowledge (T1 M = −0.01, SD = 0.82; T4 M = 0.33, SD = 0.90; 95% CI [0.17, 0.50]; p < 0.001) and vocabulary (T1 M = 14.4, SD = 4.5; T4 M = 16.7, SD = 5.3; 95% CI [1.4, 3.3]; p < 0.001). The children’s dietary quality improved from the baseline, but the changes were not significant. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the intervention may support improvements in science knowledge and academic vocabulary among preschool-aged children. We theorize a longer intervention with additional FV exposures may be needed to observe significant dietary changes. Future research should evaluate program effects with a comparison group. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion in School-Aged Children: Lifestyle Factors, Interventions, and Health Outcomes)
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23 pages, 2178 KiB  
Article
Adolescent Nutritional Patterns and Health Behaviors in Romania: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
by Carmen Elena Lupu, Alexandru Scafa-Udriște, Raluca Silvia Matei, Monica Licu, Tiberius Iustinian Stanciu, Gabriela Stanciu, Fallah Hashemi, Andreea Mihai, Sergiu Lupu, Răzvan Ene, Radu Emilian Cristache, Steluța Constanța Boroghină, Anca Coliță, Octavian Buda and Magdalena Mititelu
Nutrients 2025, 17(9), 1448; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091448 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 177
Abstract
Background: Adolescence is a pivotal developmental stage marked by physiological and behavioral changes that significantly influence dietary habits and long-term health outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations between socio-demographic characteristics, psychological factors, and dietary behaviors among school-aged children and [...] Read more.
Background: Adolescence is a pivotal developmental stage marked by physiological and behavioral changes that significantly influence dietary habits and long-term health outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations between socio-demographic characteristics, psychological factors, and dietary behaviors among school-aged children and adolescents in Romania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured, self-administered questionnaire completed by 662 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years, enrolled in primary, middle, and high schools across urban and rural areas. The questionnaire evaluated nutritional intake, meal patterns, hydration habits, physical activity, screen time, and psychological factors such as fatigue, stress, and mood fluctuations. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on self-reported height and weight. Results: The analysis reveals significant gender differences in body mass index (BMI), weight-loss behaviors, and family structure. Female adolescents were more likely to be underweight (18.27%) compared to male adolescents (10.82%), while overweight prevalence was higher among male adolescents (18.66%) than female adolescents (11.68%) (χ2 = 11.457, p = 0.009). Dietary patterns varied significantly across age groups, with high-school-aged children demonstrating lower vegetable consumption and increased autonomy over food choices. Primary school children exhibited higher intake of carbonated beverages (OR = 0.185, p = 0.002 for high school; OR = 0.116, p < 0.001 for middle school), whereas teenagers showed a preference for structured meals and lower fast-food intake. Meat consumption frequency correlated with greater diversity in protein sources (χ2 = 48.77, p < 0.001), while chaotic eating behaviors were more prevalent among middle and high-school-aged children (OR = 2.291, p = 0.032 for middle school; OR = 2.225, p = 0.030 for high school). Hydration habits played an essential role in dietary quality, with school-age children consuming ≥ 3 L of water daily exhibiting healthier eating patterns (OR = 7.146, p = 0.001). Additionally, psychological factors such as fatigue and stress were significantly associated with unhealthy dietary choice. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for targeted nutritional education, school-based interventions, and family-focused strategies to improve adolescent health behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion in School-Aged Children: Lifestyle Factors, Interventions, and Health Outcomes)
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12 pages, 466 KiB  
Article
Processed Food Consumption and Sleep Quality in School-Aged Children: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study
by Matilde Sousa Gomes, Juliana Martins, Ana Duarte, Cláudia Augusto, Maria José Silva, Patrícia Padrão, Pedro Moreira and Rafaela Rosário
Nutrients 2025, 17(2), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17020233 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1516
Abstract
Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between processed food consumption and sleep quality among school-aged children. Methods: Our sample consisted of 137 children, with 52.6% being girls with a mean age of 7.9 ± 1.2 years. Moreover, 40.2% of children [...] Read more.
Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between processed food consumption and sleep quality among school-aged children. Methods: Our sample consisted of 137 children, with 52.6% being girls with a mean age of 7.9 ± 1.2 years. Moreover, 40.2% of children had overweight and 35.9% had experienced sleep problems. Dietary intake was evaluated using two non-consecutive 24 h recalls, and foods were categorized according to the NOVA classification system. The amount of sweet snacks consumed, in grams, was recorded for each meal and throughout the day. Sleep quality was assessed using the Portuguese Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ-PT). Results: The study found a significant and positive association between the sleep habits score and daily sweet snack consumption (B = 0.035; 95% CI: 0.011, 0.059). Additionally, there were higher odds of experiencing sleep problems in those children who consumed a higher percentage of energy from ultra-processed foods (OR: 1.043; 95% CI: 1.004, 1.084), higher total daily consumption of sweet snacks (OR: 1.016; 95% CI: 1.006, 1.026), particularly during morning and afternoon snack times (OR: 1.018; 95% CI: 1.002, 1.033). Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of addressing dietary patterns on children’s sleep quality. Future interventions should account for reducing NOVA 4 and sweet snack consumption in order to improve sleep quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion in School-Aged Children: Lifestyle Factors, Interventions, and Health Outcomes)
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