Evaluation of a school-based multi-component education program to improve young children’s fruit and vegetable consumption.
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Jennifer Toller Erausquin, Associate Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: Objective
To assess the impact of a multicomponent nutrition education program on student knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to consumption of fruits and vegetables (FVs).
Design
Quasi-experimental pretest/posttest research design; 3 study conditions (Intervention+, Intervention, Comparison).
Setting
Six schools from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).
Participants
Three hundred ninety-nine low-income third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students.
Intervention
The Intervention+ condition included 4 components: traditional Network–LAUSD program, new standardized nutrition curriculum, teacher training workshops, and parent nutrition education workshops. The Intervention condition included 2 components: traditional Network–LAUSD program and teacher training workshops.
Main Outcome Measures
Fruit and vegetable consumption, knowledge of food groups, attitudes and beliefs toward FVs, and parent/teacher influence on students’ attitudes toward FVs.
Analysis
Linear mixed models.
Results
The Intervention+ resulted in a positive change in knowledge (P < .05), attitudes and beliefs toward vegetables (P < .01), and teacher influence on students’ FV attitudes (P < .05).
Conclusions and Implications
Although this study influenced knowledge and attitudes regarding FVs, a significant increase in students’ FV consumption was not observed. Given the ultimate aim of the LAUSD nutrition efforts is to increase FV consumption, future studies should consider adopting new intervention strategies, such as focusing on changing the school food environment.
Evaluation of a school-based multi-component education program to improve young children’s fruit and vegetable consumption.
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Created on 9/20/2013
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Language: English
- Date: 2012
- Keywords
- children, nutrition, child nutrition, nutrition education, secondary education, public health education, school nutrition programs