The Effects of a Nutrition Education Intervention on Third- and Fifth- Grade Students’ Fruit and Vegetable Knowledge, Preference and Consumption

Document Type

Article

Department or Administrative Unit

Nutrition Exercise and Health Sciences

Publication Date

Spring 2018

Abstract

Purpose/Objectives
Most American school children fail to meet recommended intakes of fruits and vegetables (F/V). Possible solutions to increase intake include nutrition education interventions paired with access to a cafeteria salad bar (SB). The aim of this research was to determine if a F/V-targeted nutrition education intervention would increase F/V knowledge, preference, and consumption among elementary school-aged students.

Methods
This repeated measures experimental design examined the effects of a nutrition education intervention among third- and fifth-grade students (n=149). Pre- and post-intervention surveys, as well as pre and post SB specific plate waste analyses, were used to measure change in F/V knowledge, preference, and consumption. Participants received eight weekly 20-minute nutrition education lessons focused on the benefits of consuming F/V. A series of two-way ANOVA models with interactions were used to examine changes in F/V knowledge, preference, and consumption in each grade.

Results
A few significant improvements in nutrition knowledge and F/V preference were observed. There were slight differences in overall nutrition knowledge and F/V preference between grades but not a change post-intervention within grades. Fifth-grade students generally possessed a better understanding about the benefits of consuming F/V and a greater preference for F/V. Non-significant increases in F/V consumption were noted post-intervention.

Application to Child Nutrition Professionals
The results of this study suggest that targeted nutrition interventions may be effective in increasing F/V intake among elementary school-aged students. Positive outcomes seem to depend on several factors, including the existence and duration of other F/V promotional programs like SB, as well as peer- and adult-modeling of F/V consumption. This study as well as previous research indicates exposure and modeling are powerful tools in order to increase pre-adolescent F/V consumption.

Comments

This article was originally published in The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management. The full-text article from the publisher can be found here.

Due to copyright restrictions, this article is not available for free download from ScholarWorks @ CWU.

Journal

The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management

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