Experiential learning for nutrition literacy of school-aged children: a study protocol of cluster randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The global increase in childhood and adolescent obesity presents a critical public health challenge. Nutrition literacy, which refers to the ability to acquire, understand, and apply nutritional information, has the potential to address this issue. The study aims to evaluate the effects of a newly developed experiential learning intervention on improving nutrition literacy among school-aged children. METHODS: This cluster-randomized controlled trial targets third and fourth-grade students (aged 8 to 10 years) in Nanshan District, Shenzhen City China. The study will span three months and involves eight primary schools, which are randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups in a 1:1 ratio. The experiential learning-based intervention mainly includes experiential classroom activities, practical nutritional activities, family healthy eating recording and daily nutrition health education. Control groups receive standard nutritional education provided by the schools. Data collection occurs at baseline and post-intervention, focusing on nutrition literacy and children’s dietary habits using the “Food and Nutrition Literacy Questionnaire for Chinese School-aged Children” (FNLQ-SC) and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). DISCUSSION: This intervention integrates interactive classroom activities, practical skill development, and family involvement. It aims to improve children’s nutrition literacy and dietary habits, potentially mitigating childhood obesity and related chronic diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 30 October 2024 (No. ChiCTR2400091566).