Preschoolers' concepts of digestion, absorption and egestion : links with body mass index

The literature suggests links between people’s understandings of nutrition and their actual dietary habits, where knowledge of good practice translates into low body mass index (BMI). In order to investigate a similar effect in preschool children, a sample of 25 four year-olds will take part in structured interviews devised to assess their knowledge of the three processes of digestion, absorption and egestion. Data will be analysed quantitatively to give performance scores, which will be compared with children’s body mass index. If links are found there are potential consequences for early years biology education, where the enhancement of nursery children’s knowledge of the digestive system could contribute towards positive health outcomes.