A group of researchers from the Departmental Faculty of Sciences and Biotechnologies for food, nutrition and health of the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, has just published on Scientific Reports the comparative analysis that highlights the effectiveness of using Nutridish, simple and intuitive food education tool developed by Nestlé with the scientific supervision of the SIPPS (Italian Society of Preventive and Social Pediatrics) and UCBM, to involve children aged four to twelve in preparing their mealsi, to promote greater awareness of portion sizes, promoting more balanced eating habits from childhood.
What is Nutripiatto?
Nutripiatto is a life-sized plate that shows the proportions of the various food groups that make up the main meals—lunch and dinner—and visually represents how the various food groups should be divided into each meal: vegetables and greens should occupy half of the plate, while grains and proteins should each occupy a quarter of the plate. Updated and expanded over time, Nutripiatto required a great deal of creativity to translate complex scientific content into simple, accessible language that would appeal to children and provide concrete support for parents.
A systematic review
"Nutripiatto" It is an educational tool based on the Mediterranean diet that combines a colorful plate and a recipe guide, it has been evaluated on a national scale in approximately 800 children aged between 6 and 10 years, involving three Italian regions: Piemonte, Lazio and SicilyParticipants were divided into two groups by age: A (6-7 years) and B (9-10 years), and their eating habits were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 2 months (T1). Between the two periods, the children used Nutripiatto at home and participated in age-appropriate nutrition education sessions, supported by the use of teaching guides in preparing the main meals.
In both groups (A and B) and in all three regions, dinner is the meal "always" consumed at home, with the highest percentages in Sicilia (96% and 95% for groups A and B, respectively), followed by Lazio (91% and 88%) and Piemonte (90% and 89%), with minimal differences between the latter two regions. Breakfast is consumed more frequently with the family in Piemonte (58% and 60%) compared to Lazio (57% and 38%) and Sicilia (55% and 53%). Lunch is the least frequently consumed meal at home in Lazio e Piemonte, where many children eat lunch at the school canteen, while in Sicily the majority (80%) always do so at home.
Regarding physical activity, most children practice sports in all regions. In Group A, the Piemonte records the highest percentage of children who play sports (81%), followed by Sicily (77%), while the Lazio has the lowest value (61%). In Group B, the Lazio guide with 86% of children involved in sports, followed by Piemonte (84%), with the Sicilia fanalino tail (75%).
The results
After two months of use, children showed a better understanding of appropriate food quantities and correct frequency of consumption, also appreciating the effectiveness of Nutripiatto as a visual guide. Although this was a limited-time analysis and based on caregiver observations, Nutripiatto proved equally effective across the three regions, as parents and caregivers reported: improvements in children's lifestyles (increasing trend in the consumption of whole grains, vegetables and water, and decreasing trend in protein portions and sedentary behavior).
In Group A, the whole grain consumption has increased in 61% of children in Piemonte, 25% in Lazio and 21% in Sicily, while in Group B the percentages were 56% in Piemonte, 55% in Lazio and 33% in Sicilia. A further observation was made reduction of meat and fish portions: in Group A, 52% in Piemonte, 30% in Sicilia and 25% in Lazio; in Group B, 63% in Lazio, 49% in Piemonte and 46% in Sicilia. Also the vegetable consumption has increased significantly: A has increased intake 83% of children in Piemonte, 61% in Lazio and 60% in Sicilia; in Group B, 81% in Piemonte, 79% in Lazio and 59% in Sicilia. Most children have water consumption also increased: 86% in Piemonte, 75% in Sicilia and 57% in Lazio in Group A; 77% in Sicilia, 76% in Piemonte and 71% in Lazio in Group B.
Finally, after using Nutripiatto, a reduction of sedentary behavior in the majority of children. In Group A, the reduction affected 80% of children in Piemonte, 66% in Sicilia and 61% in the Lazio; in Group B, 73% in Lazio and 66% is in Piemonte both in Sicily.
This preliminary analysis highlights how effective nutrition education can be when it speaks the language of children. Through a visual and concrete approach, the Nutripiatto model helps children understand portion sizes, consumption rates, and the importance of key foods like fruits, vegetables, and water. comments Manon Khazrai, Associate Professor of Dietetic Sciences and Techniques UCBM and concludes: "The results encourage the development of future studies on a larger scale to consolidate their impact.".
From a nutritional perspective, Nutripiatto is an effective tool for translating guidelines into daily behaviors. Actively working on portions, variety, and frequency of consumption allows children to build more balanced meals naturally and with greater awareness. This practical approach promotes real and sustainable changes in eating habits. Adds Chiara Spiezia, nutritionist UCBM.
