ERIC Number: EJ979306
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Unbundling Outcomes of a Multilevel Intervention to Increase Fruit, Vegetables and Whole Grains Parents Pack for Their Preschool Children in Sack Lunches
Briley, Margaret E.; Ranjit, Nalini; Holescher, Deanna M.; Sweitzer, Sara J.; Almansour, Fawaz; Roberts-Gray, Cynthia
American Journal of Health Education, v43 n3 p135-142 May-Jun 2012
Background: Packing fruit, vegetables and whole grains in preschool children's sack lunches is a powerful way for parents to teach their children eating habits and food preferences to support a lifetime of good health. A multilevel intervention pilot-tested in childcare settings increased servings of vegetables and whole grains, but the lunches still fell short of the intervention goals. Purpose: Secondary analyses were conducted to identify specific behavior changes underlying achieved increases in servings of vegetables and whole grains. Methods: Food records from direct observation of 769 parent-packed lunches were investigated to unbundle and measure multiple aspects of lunch packing behavior. Changes from baseline to six week follow-up for the intervention (N = 81) and comparison (N = 51) parent-child dyads were evaluated in multilevel modeling. Results: The increase for whole grains was explained by more parents packing whole grain items whereas increase for vegetables was explained by parents packing vegetables on more days. Discussion: Tailored options were identified for further strategies to increase vegetables and whole grains in parent-packed sack lunches. Translation to Health Education Practice: Linking achieved outcomes to specific behaviors can be an aid in assessing needs and designing interventions to maximize the chances for success. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Health Education, Intervention, Eating Habits, Preschool Children, Child Care, Behavior Change, Parent Child Relationship, Food, Nutrition, Health Behavior
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A