Development of a local Mentor Team Model for integrated Food and Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation in KhonKaen

Abstract

This study employed a participatory action research (PAR) approach to develop a mentoring team model for monitoring and evaluating food and nutrition management in 12 schools in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. The target groups included: (1) a model development group comprising 20 personnel from affiliated educational and public health agencies; (2) a mentoring group of 24 individuals, including school administrators and health or nutrition teachers; and (3) 3,172 students. The study was conducted from May 2023 to December 2024. Data collection tools included participatory workshops, school baseline data forms, interviews with administrators and teachers, assessments based on national food and nutrition standards, anthropometric measurements using Kid Size tools, and nutritional evaluations via the KidDiary program. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, while qualitative data were examined through content analysis.

The findings revealed that the mentoring team significantly supported schools in enhancing compliance with food and nutrition standards. The number of schools rated as “good” or “very good” increased. Post-intervention, the average evaluation scores improved significantly (p-value < 0.001). Nutritional status among students also improved: the proportion of students with normal weight increased from 66.3% to 68.4%, while those who were overweight or obese declined from 16.3%
to 14.9%.

The mentoring system provided effective guidance and support, enabling schools to meet food and nutrition standards. It is recommended that regional health agencies adopt this mentoring model to promote student health and nutrition at the local level.