To determine the effectiveness of nutrition education intervention based on Pender's Health Promotion Model in improving the frequency and nutrient intake of breakfast consumption among female Iranian students.

The quasi-experimental study based on Pender's Health Promotion Model was conducted during April–June 2011. Information (data) was collected by self-administered questionnaire. In addition, a 3 d breakfast record was analysed. P < 0·05 was considered significant.

Two middle schools in average-income areas of Qom, Iran.

One hundred female middle-school students.

There was a significant reduction in immediate competing demands and preferences, perceived barriers and negative activity-related affect constructs in the experimental group after education compared with the control group. In addition, perceived benefit, perceived self-efficacy, positive activity-related affect, interpersonal influences, situational influences, commitment to a plan of action, frequency and intakes of macronutrients and most micronutrients of breakfast consumption were also significantly higher in the experimental group compared with the control group after the nutrition education intervention.

Constructs of Pender's Health Promotion Model provide a suitable source for designing strategies and content of a nutrition education intervention for improving the frequency and nutrient intake of breakfast consumption among female students.