The Effect of Therapeutic Play on Eating Behaviors in Primary School Children

Primary health care is a comprehensive, community-based approach that aims to maximize health, well-being, and their equitable distribution through three main components (WHO, 2025). Its key components, identified at the Alma-Ata Conference, include health education; environmental sanitation, particularly food and water; maternal and child health programs, including immunization and family planning; prevention of endemic diseases; appropriate treatment of common diseases and injuries; provision of essential medicines; promotion of healthy nutrition; and mental health promotion (Eren, 1982). It is anticipated that a study aimed at fostering healthy eating habits in children through the use of therapeutic play methods will raise family awareness, facilitate the delivery of effective health education to children, highlight the role of nurses in safeguarding child health, and ultimately improve public health. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the therapeutic play method-applied within the scope of primary health care services in schools-on children's emotional eating behaviors and to foster their belief in their ability to make healthy food choices. Research Hypotheses H1: The mean total scores on the emotional eating scale for children in the intervention group are lower than those for the control group. H2: : The mean total scores on the food behaviour scale for children in the intervention group are higher than those for the control group. Variables of the Study Independent variables The independent variables of the study are the children's socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender). On the first day, the children were asked to complete the 'Child and Family Information Form', the 'Eating Behaviour Scale' and the Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents. A three-week program will be administered to the intervention group by the researchers. A 3-week gamified healthy eating program was implemented for children in the intervent