Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Whole Grains Among Children Aged 10 and 11 Years In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Introduction: The potential contribution of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) studies towards whole grains on childhood obesity research and control has not received much attention in Malaysia. This study aimed to evaluate KAP towards whole grains among children aged 10 and 11 years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken in six randomly selected primary schools in Kuala Lumpur. A validated questionnaire encompassing socio-demography (24 items), knowledge (15 items), attitude (15 items) and practice (10 items) towards whole grains was self-administered by 384 children aged 10 and 11 years. The overall KAP was analyzed using the sum score of each outcome based on Bloom’s cut-off point. Body weight and height were measured. Results: Of the 384 children, 70.3% had low knowledge level on whole grains. Only 8.6% children had positive attitude and 2.3% had good practice. Median scores of knowledge, attitude and practice were 7.00 (IqR 4.00), 51.00 (IqR 8.00) and 23.00(IqR 8.00), respectively. Significant positive correlations were found between knowledge with attitude (r=0.335, p<0.001), attitude with practice (r=0.171, p<0.01) and knowledge with practice (r=0.162, p<0.01). BMI z-score was inversely associated with practice (r=-0.117, p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this present study indicate that children supplied with knowledge may eventually develop positive attitude and good practice towards whole grains, which may be useful in managing childhood obesity by lowering BMI z-score. This study reveals the importance of KAP towards whole grains among children that assist with identification of specific preventive childhood obesity actions.