The Effects of the V-Card Program on Healthy Food Consumption among School Children in Thailand

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity represents a significant and escalating public health challenge worldwide, with a particularly profound and sustained impact on low- and middle-income countries, especially in urban areas ⁽¹⁾. The rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among children leads to a cascade of adverse physical and psychological consequences. Objective: This quasi-experimental study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the V-Card Program, developed based on self-regulation theory, in promoting healthy food consumption behaviors among Grade 5 students in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. Methods: Thirty-five students in the intervention group participated in five intervention activities under the V Card intervention, while 35 students in the comparison group continued with the standard school curriculum. Data were collected on nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and food consumption behaviors, using a pretest-posttest design. Results: The results showed that, the post-intervention scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the comparison group. (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings indicate that the V Card Program is an effective and feasible approach for improving nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and healthy dietary behaviors in the short term. Therefore, it is recommended that schools and public health authorities scale up the implementation of this program. Additionally, policymakers should consider integrating interactive, learner-centered tools such as the V Card and board games into national curricula to promote long-term and sustainable health behavior change from early childhood.