Does training promote the acquisition of knowledge and its practical application?

Peer-Reviewed / Manuscript (original) received: December 05, 2018 / Revision accepted: October 04, 2019

Does training promote the acquisition of knowledge and its practical application?
A study of health professionals using the example of an infant nutrition training seminar

Introduction and research question

According to data (2014–2017) from the KiGGS study (German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents), 15% of children and adolescents in Germany are either overweight or obese [1]. Prevalence of these conditions therefore remains at a persistently high level, highlighting the need for action. Consequently, interventions aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle need to be implemented at the earliest possible stage [2, 3]. Looking at the issue from a life course perspective, the course for many aspects of later health is often set during the highly sensitive life phases of pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood [4, 5].

Unfortunately, there is a wide variety of information available about how to ensure a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and early childhood and much of it is contradictory or of dubious quality. Health-promotion initiatives often fail to reach families with a low socio-economic status or from an immigrant background, even though these are often the very families in particular need of support [6, 7].

Abstract In the case of low-threshold support initiatives for parents and families aimed at ensuring a healthy start in life, it is essential that the health professionals disseminating health advice through via their close contact and trusting relationship with parents and families are suitably qualified. Using the example of a training seminar for health professionals on the topic of infant nutrition, it was demonstrated that training results in a high increase in knowledge and that the content has a good level of applicability to everyday practice. Effects on the target group of parents/families still need to be investigated. The participation of physicians—a key group—needs to be increased in future through targeted measures.

Keywords: training, health professionals, evaluation, infant nutrition

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