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Published on: August 21, 2015
Beyond the plate: can a food-based science learning intervention improve preschool children's fruit and vegetable
Jocelyn B Dixon1, Elizabeth G Blosser1, Qiang Wu2
1Department of Agricultural & Human Sciences, https://ror.org/04tj63d06NC State University, NC State Extension, Ricks Hall, 1 Lampe Drive, Campus Box 7607, Raleigh, NC27695-7607, USA.
Objective:
To examine the efficacy of a food-based intervention on preschool children's (3-5 years) fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, as measured by skin carotenoid status (SCS) using the Veggie Meter®.
Design:
Quasi-experimental intervention with baseline (T1), pre-intervention (T2) and post-intervention (T3) assessments of children's SCS. Intervention classrooms (ICs) received the programme, which featured food-based learning (FBL) and gardening. Comparison classrooms (CC) received a standard curriculum. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) aligned menus were identical across all centres. Intervention teachers participated in semi-structured interviews to contextualise quantitative findings.
Setting:
Head Start centres (n 7) across three counties in North Carolina.
Participants:
183 Head Start children (n 88 IC; n 95 CC).
Results:
During the intervention period (T2-T3), significant SCS increases were observed in both groups: IC (T2 = 253·7, sd = 77·7; T3 = 299·0, sd = 77·4) and CC (T2 = 226·6, sd = 77·5; T3 = 255·9, sd = 79·9). The IC demonstrated a greater gain in SCS (17·8 % gain) than the CC (12·9 % gain). However, additional analyses revealed no significant difference in the SCS rate of change over time (P = 0·33). Teachers reported that the intervention improved children's willingness to try fruits and vegetables and encouraged positive feeding practices beyond the mealtime setting.
Conclusions:
The findings suggest that increased access to FVs through CACFP-supported meals and snacks may influence children's overall improved FV consumption. However, improved food access paired with FBL may also support higher gains in FV consumption.
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