ERIC Number: EJ1102857
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Jul
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Project Refresh: Testing the Efficacy of a School-Based Classroom and Cafeteria Intervention in Elementary School Children
Song, Hee-Jung; Grutzmacher, Stephanie; Munger, Ash L.
Journal of School Health, v86 n7 p543-551 Jul 2016
Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a school-based nutrition program using a cafeteria environment intervention and classroom nutrition education on self-reported fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, self-efficacy to select FV, and preference for healthy foods. Methods: Using quasi-experimental pre-post design with 3 study conditions, a total of 665 fourth- and fifth-grade students participated in the study. The comprehensive intervention included a behavioral economics cafeteria intervention and weekly classroom nutrition education for 1 academic year. The intervention was designed and delivered by the extension system. Results: The comprehensive group showed significant improvement in some indicators including eating vegetables for lunch (p = 0.007), number of days eating vegetables (p < 0.001) and fruits (p < 0.001) in the last week, and self-efficacy in preparing FV at home (p = 0.034) compared to the control and cafeteria groups. Food preference of some food items, including oatmeal (p = 0.036 for cafeteria group, p < 0.001 for comprehensive group), whole grain noodles (p = 0.011 for comprehensive group), and vegetables (p = 0.003 for comprehensive group), significantly improved in the cafeteria and/or comprehensive group. Conclusions: Classroom nutrition education combined with cafeteria improvement has the potential to improve diet-related behavior of elementary school children. Also, collaborative partnership between schools and extension can enhance program sustainability.
Descriptors: Nutrition Instruction, Food, Eating Habits, Health Promotion, Dining Facilities, Self Efficacy, Preferences, Quasiexperimental Design, Pretests Posttests, Grade 4, Grade 5, Elementary School Students, Intervention, Behavior Modification
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Elementary Education; Grade 5; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: US Department of Agriculture
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A