Publication: Nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among health campus staff for their children in middle childhood and adolescence in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan
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Date
2026-01
Authors
Ting, Michelle
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Abstract
The nutritional status of children and adolescents is strongly influenced by parental nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). Parents play a crucial role in shaping dietary behaviours during middle childhood and adolescence, which may have long-term health implications. This study aimed to determine the levels of nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice among staff of the Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), regarding their children aged 6–19 years, and to examine the correlations between nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice. A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among staff from the School of Health Sciences, USM Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire comprising sociodemographic characteristics and nutrition KAP. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis were performed using SPSS version 28.0. Most respondents demonstrated a high level of nutrition knowledge (75.76%) and attitude (90.91%), while nutrition practice was predominantly at a moderate level (54.55%). Spearman’s correlation analysis showed a weak but statistically significant positive correlation between nutrition knowledge and practice (ρ = 0.293, p = 0.003), as well as between attitude and practice (ρ = 0.305, p = 0.002). In conclusion, although most parents possessed high nutrition knowledge and positive attitudes, these were only weakly associated with nutrition practices. This suggests that future nutrition interventions should focus on strategies that facilitate the translation of knowledge and attitudes into effective dietary practices within families.
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