Classroom Nutrition Education Combined With Fruit and Vegetable Taste Testing Improves Children's Dietary Intake

Abby Gold; Mary Larson; Jared Tucker; Michelle Strang

doi:10.1111/josh.12478

Classroom Nutrition Education Combined With Fruit and Vegetable Taste Testing Improves Children's Dietary Intake

J Sch Health. 2017 Feb;87(2):106-113. doi: 10.1111/josh.12478.

Authors

Abby Gold¹, Mary Larson², Jared Tucker³, Michelle Strang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University, PO Box 6050-Dept. 2662, Fargo, ND 58108-6050.
² Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science, North Dakota State University, PO Box 6050-Dept. 2620, Fargo, ND 58108-6050.
³ Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, 330 Barclay NE, MC 232, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
⁴ Adult Nutrition Leader, North Dakota State University, 1010 2nd Ave. South-PO Box 2806, Fargo, ND 58108-2806.

PMID: 28076921
DOI: 10.1111/josh.12478

Abstract

Background: We tested the effectiveness of the Go Wild With Fruits and Veggies! (GWWFV) Extension curriculum on increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) intake of third graders.

Methods: An intervention study was used testing self-reported FV intake pre/post GWWFV. Recruited schools were randomized to control (12 schools, N = 369, third grade children) or intervention (14 schools, N = 378, third grade children). Measures included items from a validated FV food frequency survey. Access to the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program (FFVSP), and taste testing within GWWFV were also measured. Between-group differences in FV intake were evaluated using 1-way ANOVA for unadjusted models and 1-way ANCOVA for baseline adjusted models. The Tukey-Kramer test was employed for post hoc comparisons.

Results: Students with access to the FFVSP consumed more fruits (p < .01) and vegetables (p < .0001). Students who participated in the FFVSP and GWWFV with taste testing consumed more fruits and vegetables (p < .05) compared with students who participated in the FFVSP and GWWFV without taste testing, along with the control group.

Conclusions: The FFVSP and GWWFV with taste testing demonstrated a positive influence on FV intake in third grade children. Leveraging environmental approaches with interactive learning experiences create desired outcomes.

Keywords: fruit and vegetable intake; nutrition curriculum; nutrition education; obesity.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Diet*
Female
Fruit*
Health Education*
Health Promotion
Humans
Male
North Dakota
Obesity / prevention & control
Schools*
Self Report
Taste*
Vegetables*