Work

Development and validation of a health education module for parents of schoolchildren with overweight and obesity in the UAE

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Childhood overweight and obesity continue to rise globally and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), underscoring the need for accessible, evidence-based parental education tools. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop and validate a health educational module (HEM) tailored for parents of schoolchildren with overweight and obesity in the UAE. METHODS: The study was conducted in two phases: module development, and content and face validation. The module development involved an extensive review of national and international guidelines and previous research, followed by the design of infographic-based educational messages. Content and Face Validity were performed by six nutrition experts and 16 parents, respectively, using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Face Validity Index (FVI). RESULTS: The final HEM consisted of 25 infographic messages covering dietary intake, physical activity, behavior change, and family engagement. The module achieved excellent content validity (S-CVI/Ave = 0.97) and face validity (S-FVI/Ave = 0.99). Participant feedback resulted in language refinement, improved illustrations, and removal of outdated elements such as the Food Pyramid. CONCLUSION: The validated HEM is culturally relevant, parent-friendly, and scientifically grounded. It offers a structured, high-quality educational tool suitable for use in research, school-based initiatives, and public-health programs aimed at reducing childhood obesity in the UAE.

Source: PLoS ONE

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0344967