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Vegetable Education Program Positively Affects Factors Associated With Vegetable Consumption Among Australian Primary
Astrid A M Poelman1, Maeva Cochet-Broch1, David N Cox2
1Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Agriculture and Food, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
Objective:
To measure the effectiveness of a new sensory education program for Australian primary (elementary) schoolchildren (Vegetable Education Resource to Increase Children's Acceptance and Liking [VERTICAL]) designed to increase vegetable enjoyment and positively predispose to vegetable consumption.
Methods:
Pretest and posttest (collected 2 weeks after intervention) survey data (n = 299) on cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral factors associated with vegetable consumption were compared between the intervention (which followed VERTICAL, a program consisting of five 1-hour teacher-led interventions) and control students (aged 8-12 years) from Sydney primary schools.
Results:
The VERTICAL intervention increased knowledge about vegetables and the senses (P = .002), the ability to verbalize sensations (P < .001), vegetable acceptance (P = .007), and willingness to try vegetables (P = .05). Middle primary students gained more positive attitudes toward vegetable consumption (P = .009). Moreover, VERTICAL had no effect on food neophobia, perceived norms of teacher and peers, emotions, behavioral intentions, and vegetables tried.
Conclusions And Implications:
Behavioral change was achieved through VERTICAL in a short intervention, supporting further development and validation.
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