Assessing the effectiveness of a nutrition education module for preschoolers: kids early education on nutrition (KEEN)

Childhood nutrition is critical for lifelong health, and early intervention is essential. This study assesses the effectiveness of the Kids Early Education on Nutrition (KEEN) module. Involving 27 preschoolers aged 5 to 6 years from Tadika Dzul Iman Smart Khalifah in Puncak Alam, Selangor, it measures changes using the Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ), Nutrition Quotient for Preschoolers (NQ-P), and Hedonic Scale for Fruits and Vegetables. Significant improvements were observed in food approach subscales: Enjoyment of Food (EF) (mean difference: -0.39, 95% CI: -0.54, -0.24, t = -5.21, p < 0.001), Food Responsiveness (FR) (mean difference: -0.35, 95% CI: -0.49, -0.21, t = -5.18, p < 0.001), and Desire to Drink (DD) (mean difference: -0.26, 95% CI: -0.47, -0.05, t = -2.59, p = 0.016). Reductions in Emotional Undereating (EUE) (mean difference: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.39, t = 2.66, p = 0.013) and Food Fussiness (FF) (mean difference: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.40, t = 3.89, p < 0.001) were noted. The overall NQ-P score increased (mean difference: -5.83, 95% CI: -8.79, -2.86, t = -4.04, p < 0.001), with improvements in balance (p = 0.002) and moderation (p = 0.002). Preferences for green beans (mean difference: 0.60, p = 0.023) and bell peppers (mean difference: 0.88, p < 0.001) improved. The KEEN module is effective and could be integrated into preschool curricula to promote long-term health benefits.