[A concept mapping study of nutritional knowledge in diabetic children and their parents].

This study describes, using concept mapping, the nature, organization of knowledge on nutrition and its evolution following therapeutic patient education program in 5 diabetic children (8 to 9 years old) and their mothers. Before the education session, mothers and children are highly knowledgeable about food. The organization of knowledge in children is conceptual and differs from that found in mothers which is based on problems solving. After education, new knowledge and new links between old and recent knowledge testify of learning. A comparison between the maps of children and their mother reveals similarities but also differences in their preoccupations. This research shows that using the preexisting knowledge networks of parents and children could contribute to improve their education on nutrition.