Impact of a nutrition education programme on preschool children’s willingness to consume fruits and vegetables

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the impact of a preschool-based nutrition education programme consisting of twelve ‘hands on’ nutrition education lessons delivered during the school year on young children’s willingness to consume fruits and vegetables.Design:Quasi-experimental, pre-post design including the collection of plate waste evaluation data at the start and end of the 2015–2016 school year within two groups: (1) randomly selected classrooms receiving the intervention and (2) within conveniently sampled preschool classrooms not receiving the intervention serving as a comparison group.Setting:Centre-based preschool programmes serving low-income families in the Denver metro area.Participants:Three- to five-year-old children in preschool classrooms participating in the intervention during the 2015–2016 school year (n 308) and children enrolled in comparison classrooms (n 215).Results:Repeated-measures logit models assessed whether increases in the odds of consuming small samples of fruits and vegetables between Time 1 (pre-intervention) and Time 2 (post-intervention) were different for children within the intervention group compared with the comparison group. Analyses showed that the change over time in consumption of the three vegetable samples varied by intervention status with greater change occurring among children within the intervention group (edamame: P = 0·001; cauliflower: P ≤ 0·0001 and red pepper: P ≤ 0·0001). Unlike vegetables, the change over time in consumption of the two fruit samples was not different between children within the intervention and comparison groups.Conclusions:An experiential-learning nutrition education programme can positively influence eating behaviours of low-income preschoolers in a centre-based setting by increasing willingness to consume vegetables.

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Evaluation of the Farmers’ Markets for Kids programme

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980016001725 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (18) ◽

pp. 3397-3405 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rachel Dannefer ◽

Erica Bryan ◽

Alyce Osborne ◽

Rachel Sacks

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Low Income ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Education Programme ◽

Farmers Markets ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Farmers Market ◽

The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of Farmers’ Markets for Kids, a farmers’ market-based, child-oriented nutrition education programme, on attitudes and behaviours related to preparing and consuming produce among child participants and their caregivers in New York City (NYC).DesignRetrospective pre-test/post-test cross-sectional survey with caregivers of children participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids classes.SettingFour NYC farmers’ markets where Farmers’ Markets for Kids classes are implemented; these markets serve low-income communities.SubjectsTwo hundred and twelve adult caregivers of children who participated in Farmers’ Markets for Kids classes.ResultsCaregivers reported that children’s consumption of fruits and vegetables had increased since participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids and that their children more frequently assisted with food preparation; both of these improvements were statistically significant. Caregivers also reported significant improvements in attitudes: since participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids, their children were more willing to try new fruits and vegetables and caregivers found it easier to prepare fruits and vegetables for their children. Almost all respondents (99 %) reported purchasing more fruits and vegetables since participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids and 95 % had prepared the programme’s recipes at home.ConclusionsFindings suggest that Farmers’ Markets for Kids may be an effective approach for increasing produce consumption among participating children and improving related attitudes among children and caregivers. This evaluation provides support for future efforts to undertake more rigorous evaluations of such programmes.

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Influence of pre-schooler and parent nutrition education on carotenoid levels of Mexican-heritage children

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980019004579 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (13) ◽

pp. 2336-2344

Author(s):

Marcel Horowitz ◽

Lucia L. Kaiser ◽

Rosa D Manzo ◽

Albert Aguilera ◽

L. Karina Diaz Rios ◽

...

Keyword(s):

School Districts ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Low Income ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Resonance Raman Spectroscopy ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Mexican Heritage

AbstractObjective:To determine the mediating effect of direct preschool and parent nutrition education on changes in skin carotenoids scores over 2 years in children of Mexican heritage.Design:In a quasi-experimental, community-based study, two school districts were randomly assigned to either a comparison group (parent workshops unrelated to nutrition) or a childhood obesity prevention intervention group which included nutrition education at family nights for parents and at school for children. Changes in skin carotenoid intensity scores (diffCAROT, year 2015 minus 2013) were measured in children as a proxy for fruit and vegetable consumption using Resonance Raman Spectroscopy.Setting:Two rural, low-income, school districts from a county in California’s Central Valley.Participants:316 Mexican heritage families with children aged 3–8 years.Results:Intervention group children improved over 2 years in skin carotenoid scores relative to comparison group children (diffCAROT mean +1419 (sd 9540) v. –3473 (sd 9272), P = 0·0001). Parent attendance at nutrition education classes partially mediated the intervention effect on diffCAROT (P = 0·02). Controlling for child’s age and other covariates, participation in preschool during the study had a significant positive effect on diffCAROT among intervention children compared with controls (P < 0·03), whereas no significant difference by group was observed among those not enrolled in preschool or already enrolled in elementary school.Conclusions:Programmes that combine direct parent and preschool nutrition education may be effective in low-income Mexican heritage families to improve children’s intake of fruit and vegetables.

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Changes in Food Consumption of WIC-Participating Infants and Children, 2008 vs. 2016 (P11-066-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz048.p11-066-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Joanne Guthrie ◽

Andrea Anater ◽

Diane Catellier ◽

Wendy Johnson ◽

Erin Quann

Keyword(s):

Nutrition Education ◽

Low Income ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Infants And Children ◽

Expert Advice ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Reduced Fat ◽

Food Packages ◽

Food Package ◽

Nationally Representative

Abstract Objectives The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritionally at-risk low-income pregnant women, infants and children up to 5 years of age with foods tailored to their nutritional needs, along with nutrition education. In 2009, USDA made major revisions to WIC food packages to better conform to expert dietary guidance. Notable changes included increased fruits and vegetables, and lower-fat milk for children 2 years and older. This study uses data from the 2008 and 2016 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) to compare foods consumed by children participating in WIC to foods consumed by children not participating in WIC before and after the food package changes. Methods FITS 2008 (n = 3273) and 2016 (n = 3235) are cross-sectional nationally-representative surveys of caregivers of children < 4 years living in the U.S. Trained telephone interviewers collected 24-hour dietary data. Tests of interaction were used to determine whether the trends in consumption of select foods between 2008 and 2016 differed between children who participate in WIC compared to those who do not, while controlling for income and household size. Results The percentage of WIC infants (6-11.9 months) eating vegetables increased from 2008 to 2016, but the % eating fruit (including 100% juice) was unchanged. WIC infants shifted from being less likely than non-WIC infants to eat babyfood fruits and vegetables in 2008 to being more likely to eat them in 2016; at the same time, the % of WIC participants consuming non babyfood fruit and vegetables declined. The percentage of WIC children (12-23.9 months) drinking whole milk increased and drinking reduced fat (2%) milk decreased in 2016 compared to 2008; whereas older WIC children (24-47.9 months) were more likely to drink low or nonfat milk and less likely to drink reduced-fat milk. Conclusions Babyfood fruits and vegetables, added to the WIC food package in 2009, have become important contributors to WIC infants’ fruit and vegetable intakes. In 2016, WIC children were more likely to follow expert advice to shift to lower fat milks at ages 2 and above. Significant changes in the relationship of these food patterns to WIC participation between 2008 and 2016 suggest an important public health role of the revised WIC food packages. Funding Sources FITS 2008 and 2016 supported by Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne Switzerland.

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Impact of a nutrition education programme on free sugar intake & nutrition-related knowledge in fifth-grade schoolchildren

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa219 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Eva Winzer ◽

Maria Wakolbinger ◽

Manuel Schätzer ◽

Karin Blagusz ◽

Anita Rieder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Education Programme ◽

Health Impact ◽

Dietary Behaviour ◽

Fifth Grade ◽

Public Health Impact ◽

Free Sugar ◽

Sugar Intake ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background The objective was to evaluate a 5-week nutrition education programme (ACTION) in fifth-grade schoolchildren in Austria on free sugar intake, nutrition-related knowledge (NRK) and with the RE-AIM framework on the overall public health impact. Methods A prospective case-controlled cohort (pre–post design) from seven secondary schools in Vienna tested programme efficacy. NRK was assessed with a 20-item questionnaire and dietary behaviour and free sugar intake with a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. A total of 12 intervention classes (IG) received the programme, conducted by teachers and integrated in the curriculum, and 6 control classes followed their usual curriculum. Results In 344 children, aged 10.4 (0.8) years, free sugar intake decreased significantly over time in IG by 13% (P=0.001) with a group difference of −10.1 (95% CI −18.8, −1.5; P=0.021) g/day. The food groups ‘sweets & pastries’, ‘soft drinks’, ‘fast food’ and ‘salty snacks’ mainly contributed to this reduction. Moreover, NRK increased significantly over time in IG with a group difference of 9.0% of correct answers (95% CI 5.8, 12.2; P<0.001; Cohen’s d 0.57). The programme was disseminated to 10% of fifth-grade classrooms in Austrian secondary schools and to 12% in Vienna. Conclusions The ACTION programme shows potential for public health impact with improving dietary behaviour as free sugar intake, NRK, and its dissemination. It required a minimum of money per schoolchild as the programme was conducted by teachers and was integrated in the curriculum.

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The influence of dietary advice on nutrient intake during pregnancy

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1079/bjn19950021 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 163-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Annie S. Anderson ◽

Doris M. Campbell ◽

Richard Shepherd

Keyword(s):

Nutrition Education ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Local Population ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Education Programme ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Dietary Advice ◽

Education Group ◽

Antenatal Clinics ◽

Nutrition Programme

To assess the effect of an antenatal nutrition programme designed specifically for the local population, questionnaires on nutrition knowledge, attitudes to healthier eating and 4 d diet diaries were completed by women attending routine antenatal clinics. Women who received the nutrition education programme were allocated into an Intervention Education Group whilst those women who did not were allocated into a Routine Education Group. The results showed that knowledge about nutrition was significantly higher in the intervention group. However, no significant differences were detected between the two groups for attitude variables or nutrient intake. It is concluded, therefore, that the most-widely-read form of nutrition advice for pregnant women may have some impact on nutrition knowledge but has little effect on nutrient intake during pregnancy.

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Does the CATCH Early Childhood Program Increase Physical Activity Among Low-Income Preschoolers?—Results From a Pilot Study

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.1177/0890117117700952 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 344-348 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ru-Jye Chuang ◽

Shreela V. Sharma ◽

Cheryl Perry ◽

Pamela Diamond

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Head Start ◽

Low Income ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Low Income Children ◽

School Year ◽

Observation Method

Purpose: To explore whether the physical activity (PA) component of the Coordinated Approach to Child Health Early Childhood (CATCH EC) program helps increasing preschoolers’ PA during active times at preschool. Design: Nonrandomized controlled experimental study. Setting: Head Start centers in Houston, Texas, 2009 to 2010 school year. Participants: A total of 439 preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years (3 intervention centers, n = 220; 3 comparison centers, n = 219). Intervention: The CATCH EC preschool-based teacher-led nutrition and PA program. Measures: Preschoolers’ PA was measured at baseline and postintervention using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time–Preschool version, a direct observation method measuring PA at the classroom level. Parent surveys provided demographic data. Analysis: Pre-to-post changes in preschoolers’ PA were examined using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Results show a significant decrease in the percentage time preschoolers spent in level 2 PA (low activity) at intervention ( P = .005) and comparison ( P = .041) centers. Indoor vigorous activity increased significantly on an average by +6.04% pre-to-post intervention among preschoolers in the intervention group ( P = .049); no significant change was found in the comparison group. Conclusion: The CATCH EC favorably increased indoor vigorous PA level among low-income children attending Head Start.

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Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Intake in Pregnancy in Rural Malawi: Comparing Supplementary Nutrition Education and -Counseling With Routine Antenatal Care

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab035_053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 145-145

Author(s):

Lillian Katenga-Kaunda ◽

Penjani Rhoda Kamudoni ◽

Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen ◽

Heidi Fjeld ◽

Ibrahimu Mdala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutrition Education ◽

Low Income ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Study Groups ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Randomised Control Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

End Point

Abstract Objectives To describe and compare changes in nutrition knowledge, perception and dietary habits between the intervention and control group and to evaluate the effects of nutrition knowledge on dietary diversification among the two study groups. Methods This study was a two armed randomised control trial. We recruited 257 women (gestational week 9–12) of which 195 (76%) were available for analyses: intervention 92; Control 103) the women were assessed at inclusion (baseine) and two weeks before the expected date of delivery (study end-point) for differences in nutrition knowledge, perception (using a structured questionnaire) and dietary habits (assessing dietary diversity score). We performed descriptive analyses to assess these differences between the two study groups. Three-level linear multilevel regression models with random intercept and random effect of time on participant at level 1 and village level 2 were used to expore the association between nutrition knowledge and dietary habits Results Our results show that both nutrition knowledge and dietary diversity improved in both study groups, but the improvement were significantly higher in the intervention group at study-end point. Increase in nutrition knowledge was associated with improved dietary diversity only among women in the intervention group. Moreover, women in the intervention group improved their nutrition perception and behaviour. Conclusions Our results provide evidence that poor nutrition knowledge is a barrier to consumption of healthy diet during pregnancy, thus supporting the relevance for augmenting nutrition education offered at ANC with supplementary and community-based nutrition interventions. We thus suggest that efforts should be made to strengthen the education component of ANC services as these are decentralized and locally accessible in Malawi and other low-income countries Funding Sources This project was funded by the University of Oslo, The Global Health and Vaccination Program (GLOBVAC) of the research council of Norway and by the Throne Holst foundation.

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Nutrition education programme changes food intake and baseball performance in high-school students

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896920974061 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 001789692097406

Author(s):

Yukiko Ueda ◽

Mayuri Sawamoto ◽

Tomomi Kobayashi ◽

Chiho Myojin ◽

Chikae Sakamoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

High School Students ◽

High Schools ◽

Food Intake ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Education Programme ◽

Dietary Behaviour ◽

Control Group ◽

School Students

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of nutrition education programme using the Convenient, Attractive, Normative (CAN) framework to facilitate changes in mindset, attitudes and behaviours towards food among high-school male baseball players. Design: Quasi-experimental design. Setting: Two public high schools in Osaka, Japan. Methods: Students in two high schools (mean age ± SD, 16.6 ± .5 years) participated in the study. One school served as an intervention group ( n = 28) and received the CAN nutrition education programme. The other school served as a control group ( n = 22), and students within it did not receive the intervention. Students in the intervention group received three nutrition lecture sessions and face-to-face individual nutritional guidance over a 4 month intervention period. Before and after the intervention, all students were asked to record their food and beverage intake by taking food pictures, recording portion weights and sending these to the project dietitian. They were also asked to develop a dietary behaviour plan for meeting their goals. At the end of the intervention, they were asked about their experiences. Results: Students in the intervention improved their food intake, dietary balance and athletic performance. Bat swing speed was significantly faster following the intervention. Body weight increased without changing lean body mass in both groups. Conclusion: Results suggest that a CAN nutrition education programme may be effective in increasing motivation and promote dietary behaviour change among male adolescent athletes. Future interventions should examine these motivational processes and investigate the factors contributing to well-balanced meals.

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A mixed-methods evaluation using low-income adult Georgians’ experience with a smartphone-based eLearning nutrition education programme

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980018001933 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (17) ◽

pp. 3271-3280 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarah Stotz ◽

Jung Sun Lee ◽

Jori Hall

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Low Income ◽

Single Case ◽

Comparative Method ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Education Programme ◽

Safety Net ◽

Tracking Data ◽

External Incentives

AbstractObjectiveTo understand low-income adults’ expectations and experiences using an innovative smartphone and theory-based eLearning nutrition education programme, entitled Food eTalk.DesignLongitudinal mixed-methods single case study including a series of focus group and individual interviews, demographic and Internet habits surveys, and user-tracking data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, analysed using the constant comparative method and digitalized using Atlas.ti. Descriptive statistics were analysed for demographics and user-tracking data.SettingCommunity-based locations including libraries, public housing complexes, schools, safety-net clinics and food pantries.SubjectsLow-income Georgian adults aged ≥18 years (n64), USA.ResultsParticipants found Food eTalk easy to navigate and better designed than expected. Primary themes were twofold: (i) motivation to engage in eLearning may be a formidable barrier to Food eTalk’s success but improved programme content, format and external incentives could mitigate this barrier; and (ii) applying knowledge to change nutrition-related behaviour is challenging. To encourage engagement in eLearning nutrition education, programme format should highlight interactive games, videos, be short in length, and feature content that is relevant and important from the perspective of the priority audience. Examples of these topics include quick and easy recipes, chronic disease-specific diet information and tips to feed ‘picky’ children. Additionally, external incentives may help mitigate barriers to healthful eating behaviour and increase engagement in the programme.ConclusionsThe findings suggest eLearning nutrition education programmes are best designed to match low-income adults’ typical smartphone habits, include content considered particularly relevant by the intended audience and highlight solutions to barriers to healthful eating.

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A randomised safety promotion intervention trial among low-income families with toddlers

Injury Prevention ◽

10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042178 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 41-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yan Wang ◽

Andrea C Gielen ◽

Laurence S Magder ◽

Erin R Hager ◽

Maureen M Black

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Attention Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Home Safety ◽

Safety Promotion ◽

Low Income Families ◽

Attention Control Group ◽

Over Time

BackgroundToddler-aged children are vulnerable to unintentional injuries, especially those in low-income families.ObjectiveTo examine the effectiveness of an intervention grounded in social cognitive theory (SCT) on the reduction of home safety problems among low-income families with toddlers.Methods277 low-income mother–toddler dyads were randomised into a safety promotion intervention (n=91) or an attention-control group (n=186). Mothers in the safety promotion intervention group received an eight-session, group-delivered safety intervention targeting fire prevention, fall prevention, poison control and car seat use, through health education, goal-setting and social support. Data collectors observed participants' homes and completed a nine-item checklist of home safety problems at study enrolment (baseline), 6 and 12 months after baseline. A total score was summed, with high scores indicating more problems. Linear mixed models compared the changes over time in home safety problems between intervention and control groups.ResultsThe intent-to-treat analysis indicated that the safety promotion intervention group significantly reduced safety problems to a greater degree than the attention-control group at the 12-month follow-up (between-group difference in change over time β=−0.54, 95% CI −0.05 to −1.03, p=0.035), with no significant differences at the 6-month follow-up.ConclusionsA safety promotion intervention built on principles of SCT has the potential to promote toddlers' home safety environment. Future studies should examine additional strategies to determine whether better penetration/compliance can produce more clinically important improvement in home safety practices.Trial registration numberNCT02615158; post-results.

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