INTRODUCTION: Unbalanced diet, as a risk factor, has an important influence on health, not only of adults but even more of children and adolescents. Therefore, it is very important to assess knowledge, habits and behavior considering nutrition among youth. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and behavior regarding nutrition among schoolchildren and their parents, as well as to establish how much knowledge and behavior are related to age and other socio-demographic characteristics, and how they are connected with knowledge and behavior of parents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed in a random sample of 210 children in 4 elementary schools and their parents in Vojvodina using specially designed questionnaires. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Results showed that knowledge about healthy food, as an important factor of healthy behavior, is quite good, and increases with age. There is a significant discrepancy between knowledge and behavior. Although children know which food is healthier, they often consume less healthy food. This discrepancy is present in all offered pairs of food, but particularly expressed when it is about consuming bread: about 80% of pupils know that dark breads are healthier than white breads, but only 13.5% among them actually eat dark breads. CONCLUSION: This study showed that children's and parents' level of knowledge about healthy food is satisfactory, but it is not enough for healthy behavior, so there is a need for additional effort in health education and health promotion in youth population.
INTRODUCTION: Unbalanced diet, as a risk factor, has an important influence on health, not only of adults but even more of children and adolescents. Therefore, it is very important to assess knowledge, habits and behavior considering nutrition among youth. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and behavior regarding nutrition among schoolchildren and their parents, as well as to establish how much knowledge and behavior are related to age and other socio-demographic characteristics, and how they are connected with knowledge and behavior of parents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed in a random sample of 210 children in 4 elementary schools and their parents in Vojvodina using specially designed questionnaires. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Results showed that knowledge about healthy food, as an important factor of healthy behavior, is quite good, and increases with age. There is a significant discrepancy between knowledge and behavior. Although children know which food is healthier, they often consume less healthy food. This discrepancy is present in all offered pairs of food, but particularly expressed when it is about consuming bread: about 80% of pupils know that dark breads are healthier than white breads, but only 13.5% among them actually eat dark breads. CONCLUSION: This study showed that children's and parents' level of knowledge about healthy food is satisfactory, but it is not enough for healthy behavior, so there is a need for additional effort in health education and health promotion in youth population.