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ERIC Number: EJ1033497
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1559-5676
EISSN: N/A
Introducing Preschool Children to Novel Fruits and Vegetables: A Pilot Study
Tande, D. L.; Niemeier, B. S.; Hwang, J. H.; Stastny, S.; Bezbaruah, N.; Hektner, J. M.; Habedank, D.
Journal of Child Nutrition & Management, v38 n1 Spr 2014
Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to compare changes in preschool children's identification, preferences, and beliefs related to fruits and vegetables introduced to a child care center's menu before and after a nutrition education and food exposure intervention. The study also sought to determine how these changes were related to Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods: This study utilized a one-group, pretest-posttest design. The children were offered a combined intervention featuring nutrition education and exposure to novel fruits and vegetables at meals in a preschool setting. Results: Nineteen children aged 3.3 through 5.6 years completed the study. Children were able to identify several novel fruits and vegetables more accurately following the intervention. The mean calculated scores for identification, preference, healthfulness, and exposure all significantly changed from pre-to post-measures (p < 0.05). BMI z-score was inversely related to identification (r = -0.60), preference (r = -0.46), healthfulness (r = -0.66), and exposure (r = -0.49) scores following the intervention (p < 0.05) but not before the intervention. Application to Child Nutrition Professionals: Children in this pilot study who learned about fruits and vegetables were more likely to identify them as healthy and want to eat them, so exposure at meals in combination with a nutrition education program may improve acceptance of novel food on the school's menu.
School Nutrition Association. 120 Waterfront Street Suite 300, National Harbor, MD 20745. Tel: 301-686-3100; Fax: 301-686-3115; e-mail: servicecenter@schoolnutrition.org; Web site: http://schoolnutrition.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education; Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A