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

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 Participant feedback resulted in language refinement, improved illustrations, and removal of outdated elements such as the Food Pyramid.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.