Improving the diet of toddlers of Pakistani origin: a study of intensive dietary health education.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an intensive, home-based programme of dietary health education resulted in improved maternal knowledge and changes in toddlers' diets in families of Pakistani origin. DESIGN: Prospective intervention study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study took place in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England. Thirty-three mothers, whose toddlers had been found to be anaemic, entered the programme; 26 completed it. Dietary health education was delivered by a trained link worker, supported by health visitors, a dietitian and a community paediatrician. INTERVENTION: Six one-hour visits were made at weekly intervals. The teaching programme focused on healthy weaning, with an emphasis on adequate intake of iron-rich foods. A purpose-designed pictorial teaching aid was used. OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal knowledge was assessed by targeted questions. Children's diets were assessed using 24-hour dietary recall and weekly food frequency, from which a "food frequency" score was derived. RESULTS: There were significant gains in maternal dietary knowledge. There were modest improvements in children's diets. The programme was valued by the mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers of Pakistani origin gained knowledge and changed their children's diets following the dietary health education programme. The study demonstrated the value of a home-based programme delivered by a trained link worker to this group, which has difficulty in accessing clinic-based services.