scholarly journals School Gardening Activities have Profound Potential in Influencing the Knowledge, Attitude, Self-efficacy and Frequency of Fruit and Vegetable Intake by Late Adolescents

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussein Mukasa Kafeero ◽  
David Kavuma ◽  
Lillian Wampande Nantume ◽  
Scovia Mbabazi

Abstract Back ground The dietary intake of fruits and vegetables by adolescents is influenced by self-efficacy, attitude and knowledge.This study was designed to understand the role of school gardens in influencing the frequency, attitudes, knowledge and self-efficacy of late in-school adolescents on their dietary intake of fruits and vegetables.Methods The study followed a cross-sectional study design employing quantitative research methods. The target population comprised of late adolescents 18-25 years attending the two-selected secondary school; one with gardening activities and another not. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed by t-test , Mann Whitney U test, Pearson Rank Correlation and odds ratio.Results Generally, there were low fruit (8 & 9) and vegetable (6 & 7) servings per week among the unexposed and the exposed groups respectively as compared to the USDA recommendation (14 and 11) servings per week for fruits and vegetables respectively. However, students exposed to gardening had slightly higher scores of fruits and vegetable frequency as compared to those not exposed (OR=1.0370). Students believed they consumed more fruits than vegetables with the exposed group consuming more fruits (p<0.0001) and vegetables (p<0.0001) than the control group. The students knew more nutritional value for fruit intake than for vegetable intake with the exposed group having higher knowledge scores than the control (OR=1.32). The students in the exposed group were more confident in consuming fruits and vegetables rather than a snack (p=0.008), ice cream (p=0.004), three times a day (p<0.0001) compared to the control group.Conclusion Overall, there was low fruit and vegetable intake by the study subjects. However, fruits were consumed more than the vegetables with the exposed group posting slightly higher weekly intake of fruits and vegetables than the control group. The students knew the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables attaching more importance on the fruits than vegetables with exposed group having better knowledge than the control. Although students in both groups were confident in consuming fruits and vegetables, the exposed group was more confident than the unexposed.

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 233339361769208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha J. Nepper ◽  
Weiwen Chai

Given the importance of parental influence on children’s eating habits, we explored perceptions of parents of overweight (body mass index–for-age percentile ≥85%) preschoolers (3-5 years) and overweight school-aged children (6-12 years) regarding challenges in promoting fruit and vegetable intake and how they and other family members influence their overweight children’s dietary habits. Focus groups were conducted with 13 parents of overweight preschoolers and 14 parents of overweight school-aged children. Codes and themes were developed by inductive data analysis. Four common themes were identified: short shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables prohibiting parents from purchasing, children’s taste changes in fruits and vegetables, parents having the primary influence on children’s dietary intake, and wanting fruits and vegetables “ready to go.” Parents of school-aged children were more concerned about their children’s weight, and extended family members negatively influenced children’s dietary intake compared with parents of preschoolers. Our findings provide valuable insight for nutrition/health educators when developing family-based interventions for weight management.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominika Głąbska ◽  
Dominika Guzek ◽  
Barbara Groele ◽  
Krystyna Gutkowska

The role of a properly balanced diet in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders has been suggested, while vegetables and fruits have a high content of nutrients that may be of importance in the case of depressive disorders. The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic review of the observational studies analyzing association between fruit and vegetable intake and mental health in adults. The search adhered to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), and the review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database (CRD42019138148). A search for peer-reviewed observational studies published until June 2019 was performed in PubMed and Web of Science databases, followed by an additional manual search for publications conducted via analyzing the references of the found studies. With respect to the intake of fruit and/or vegetable, studies that assessed the intake of fruits and/or vegetables, or their processed products (e.g., juices), as a measure expressed in grams or as the number of portions were included. Those studies that assessed the general dietary patterns were not included in the present analysis. With respect to mental health, studies that assessed all the aspects of mental health in both healthy participants and subjects with physical health problems were included, but those conducted in groups of patients with intellectual disabilities, dementia, and eating disorders were excluded. To assess bias, the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) was applied. A total of 5911 studies were independently extracted by 2 researchers and verified if they met the inclusion criteria using a 2-stage procedure (based on the title, based on the abstract). After reviewing the full text, a total of 61 studies were selected. A narrative synthesis of the findings from the included studies was performed, which was structured around the type of outcome. The studies included mainly focused on depression and depressive symptoms, but also other characteristics ranging from general and mental well-being, quality of life, sleep quality, life satisfaction, flourishing, mood, self-efficacy, curiosity, creativity, optimism, self-esteem, stress, nervousness, or happiness, to anxiety, minor psychiatric disorders, distress, or attempted suicide, were analyzed. The most prominent results indicated that high total intake of fruits and vegetables, and some of their specific subgroups including berries, citrus, and green leafy vegetables, may promote higher levels of optimism and self-efficacy, as well as reduce the level of psychological distress, ambiguity, and cancer fatalism, and protect against depressive symptoms. However, it must be indicated that the studies included were conducted using various methodologies and in different populations, so their results were not always sufficiently comparable, which is a limitation. Taken together, it can be concluded that fruits and/or vegetables, and some of their specific subgroups, as well as processed fruits and vegetables, seems to have a positive influence on mental health, as stated in the vast majority of the included studies. Therefore, the general recommendation to consume at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day may be beneficial also for mental health.


2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. S54-S55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga J. Santiago Rivera ◽  
Joseph Carlson ◽  
J.C. Eisenmann ◽  
K. Pfeiffer ◽  
D. Feltz ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 830-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota M. Zarnowiecki ◽  
Natalie Parletta ◽  
James Dollman

Children of low socio-economic position (SEP) consume poorer diets than those of high SEP; however, there is limited understanding of why socio-economic gradients in diet occur. Some evidence suggests that determinants of dietary intake may differ between SEP groups. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the associations between personal and environmental variables and children's fruit and vegetable intake, and healthy dietary behaviours are moderated by SEP. A total of 395 children aged 9 to 13 years and their parents were recruited in Adelaide, South Australia. Personal and environmental dietary predictors were measured using child-completed online questionnaires and telephone interviews with parents. Dietary intake was measured using an online FFQ. First, dietary predictors were identified using correlated component regression, and subsequently tested for moderation by four SEP indicators using partial least-squares structural equation modelling. Fruit and vegetable intake and healthy behaviours were predicted by self-efficacy, attitudes and a supportive home environment. For girls, only the associations of self-efficacy with healthy behaviours were moderated by occupation. For boys, income moderated the associations of fruit and vegetable intake with attitudes, and healthy behaviours with supportive home environments. Occupation and employment moderated the associations of boys' family environments and fruit intake, and attitudes with healthy behaviours. Reducing socio-economic disparities in children's healthy dietary intake may be more successfully achieved by tailoring health promotion policies and interventions according to variables that moderate the relationships between dietary intake and SEP.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Kehm ◽  
Mary O. Hearst ◽  
Shelley Sherman ◽  
Kate L. Elwell

The 2012 FAV-S pilot study was developed as a dietary intervention program for low-income Somali mothers grounded in the health belief model. The intervention was geared toward increasing fruit and vegetable intake among participants’ children. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the impact of the FAV-S program on participants’ (1) self-efficacy in ability to serve more fruits and vegetables, (2) knowledge and beliefs about healthy eating, and (3) perceived barriers to accessing healthy foods. Furthermore, this study assessed change in fruit and vegetable intake among participants and their children. The intervention consisted of two small group education sessions addressing nutrition, serving size, and label reading; a cooking session incorporating fruits and vegetables into traditional Somali dishes; and a grocery store session demonstrating best purchasing practices. Self-efficacy, knowledge and beliefs, and perceived barriers were assessed via surveys administered verbally in Somali pre- and postintervention. Paired t tests were used to compare pre- and postintervention survey responses. Twenty-five women participated in the pilot study; mean age was 43.6 years ( SD = 12.4). Self-efficacy significantly increased among participants postintervention ( p = .01), though there were no significant changes in knowledge and beliefs or perceived barriers. Following intervention, daily servings of fruits and vegetables significantly increased among both women and children ( p = .01 to p < .01). Findings suggest that a multistage, culturally tailored, approach is effective at increasing self-efficacy and fruit and vegetable intake in the Somali community. Continued and expanded research is needed to further develop culturally focused dietary interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa R. Englund ◽  
Valisa E. Hedrick ◽  
Sofía Rincón-Gallardo Patiño ◽  
Lauren E. Kennedy ◽  
Kathryn W. Hosig ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In 2015, the Partnership for a Healthier America launched the branded Fruits & Veggies (FNV) Campaign to apply a unique industry-inspired marketing approach to promote fruit and vegetable sales and intake to moms and teens in two US pilot markets: Fresno, California and Hampton Roads, Virginia. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to: 1) assess brand awareness and fruit- and vegetable-related outcomes among FNV Campaign target audiences in the California and Virginia market locations; and 2) examine whether reported awareness of the FNV Campaign was associated with differences in fruit- and vegetable-related cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study were collected using an online survey administered to a non-probability convenience sample (n = 1604; February–July 2017) of youth aged 14–20 years (n = 744) and moms aged 21–36 years (n = 860) in the two pilot markets. Descriptive statistics were computed and outcomes compared between unaware and aware respondents, controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted to assess whether fruit- and vegetable-related attitude, belief, and encouragement outcomes differed by FNV Campaign awareness; logistic regression was used to examine associations between FNV brand awareness and dichotomous variables (fruit- and vegetable-related behavioral intentions, trying new fruits and vegetables); and ANCOVA was used to assess associations with daily fruit and vegetable intake frequency. Results Approximately 20% (n = 315/1604) of respondents reported awareness of the FNV Campaign. Youth that reported awareness of the FNV Campaign (n = 167, 22.4%) had higher intentions to buy (p = 0.003) and eat (p = 0.009) fruits and vegetables than unaware respondents. Mothers that reported awareness of the FNV Campaign (n = 148, 17.2%) reported greater encouragement for friends and family to eat fruits and vegetables (p = 0.013) and were approximately 1.5 times more likely to report trying a new fruit or vegetable (p = 0.04) than mothers unaware of the Campaign. Daily fruit and vegetable intake frequency did not differ by Campaign awareness. Conclusions FNV Campaign awareness was associated with limited but positive short- and intermediate-term cognitive and behavioral outcomes among target audience respondents. These findings can inform future research to enhance understanding and improve the FNV Campaign as it is expanded to new markets nationwide.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle C. Kegler ◽  
April Hermstad ◽  
Regine Haardörfer

Abstract Background The home provides the physical and social context for the majority of eating behaviors for U.S. adults. This study describes eleven dimensions of the home food environment among a national sample of U.S. adults and identifies which are associated with diet quality and overweight/obesity. Methods A national sample of U.S. adults ages 18 to 75 was recruited from an online survey panel. Respondents (n = 4942) reported on foods available in the home, including 1) fruit and vegetables, 2) salty snacks/sweets, 3) less healthy beverages, as well as 4) food placement, 5) shopping practices for fruits and vegetables, 6) food preparation, 7) portion control methods, 8) family meals from restaurants, 9) family household practices around TV and eating, 10) presence of a TV in the dining area, and 11) ownership of a scale. Self-reported height and weight, fruit and vegetable intake, and percent calories from fat were also assessed. Results Mean household size was 2.6, 32.7% had children in the home, and 23.1% lived alone. The majority were White (67.7%), with 12.3% Black and 14.3% Hispanic. Mean age was 44.4 and 48.3% were men. In multivariable models, seven features of the home food environment were associated with meeting the recommended fruit and vegetable intake guidelines, with food placement, meal preparation, frequency of shopping for fruit, and a greater variety of fruits and vegetables available in the home most strongly associated. Eight of 11 features were associated with percent energy from fat, including restaurant food for family meals, salty snacks and sweets availability, less healthy beverages availability, food placement, meal preparation, frequency of shopping for fruit, family eating with the TV on, and having a TV in the dining area. More diverse fruit and vegetable availability was associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity, and more frequent family eating while watching TV was associated with increased odds of overweight/obesity. Conclusion Targeting these dimensions of the home food environment may be a promising approach for future intervention research.


Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda M Oude Griep ◽  
Jeremiah Stamler ◽  
Queenie Chan ◽  
Linda van Horn ◽  
Lyn M Steffen ◽  
...  

Background: The color of the edible portion of fruits and vegetables, reflecting the presence of pigmented phytochemicals, may be used as an indicator of their nutrient profile. Previous cohort and intervention studies have documented beneficial associations of fruits and vegetables with blood pressure (BP). However, whether the color of fruits and vegetables is associated with BP is unknown. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the International Study of Macro-/Micronutrients and Blood Pressure (INTERMAP) on 4,680 men and women ages 40-59 years from Japan, China, United Kingdom, and United States. During four visits, eight BP measurements and four 24-hr dietary recalls were completed. Fruits and vegetables were categorized in 4 color groups: green, orange/yellow, red/purple, and white. BP regression coefficients per 2SD higher intake were estimated using multivariable linear regression models. To estimate overall associations, country-specific regression coefficients were pooled, weighted by inverse of their variance. Adjustments were for age, gender, sample, intake of total energy and alcohol, 24-hr urinary sodium excretion, smoking, education, dietary supplement use, adherence to any special diet, history of cardiovascular diseases or diabetes, family history of hypertension, use of medication (antihypertensive, cardiovascular or for diabetes), body mass index, and intake of low-fat dairy, fibre-rich grain products, red and processed meats, fish and shellfish, and mutually for other fruit and vegetable color groups. Results: Average daily fruit plus vegetable intakes (g/1000 kcal) was 183 in the total population, varying from 129 in the United Kingdom to 222 in China. White fruits and vegetables contributed 32% of total fruit and vegetable intake, orange/yellow 27%, green 26%, and red/purple 15%. Fruit and vegetable color groups were weakly related to each other, partial r values ranged from 0.08 for green with red/purple to 0.15 for white with orange/yellow. Fruit and vegetable color groups were highly correlated with dietary and urinary potassium; highest correlation coefficients were for white fruits and vegetables (r=0.46 for dietary and r=0.26 for urinary potassium). Green fruits and vegetables were also highly related to beta-carotene (r=0.40) and dietary fiber (r=0.40), orange fruits and vegetables to vitamin C (r=0.59), and white fruits and vegetables to dietary fibre (r=0.49). Green fruit and vegetable intake higher by 90 g/1000 kcal was associated with a systolic BP difference of -1.19 mm Hg (P<0.05). Green fruits and vegetables comprised mainly green vegetables including: cabbages (52%), lettuces (21%), dark leafy (10%), and a heterogeneous group (17%). Other fruit and vegetable color groups and total fruits plus vegetables were not associated with BP. Conclusion: Higher intake of green fruits and vegetables may contribute to lower systolic BP.


Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie L Parker ◽  
Liwei Chen ◽  
Diane C Mitchell ◽  
Hsin-Chieh Yeh ◽  
Cheryl Anderson ◽  
...  

Background: Increased intake of fruits and vegetables (F/V) may protect against adiposity, but effects on weight have been inconsistent. Our objective was to examine the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and weight, using direct and indirect measures of dietary intake: self-reported 24-hour recall and serum carotenoid levels. Methods: Participants from the PREMIER lifestyle intervention trial were included in this analysis (n=554). Dietary measures included 24-hour dietary recalls and serum carotenoid levels, from a fasting blood sample. The outcome was weight in pounds. Nested linear mixed models were used to examine the association between F/V and weight. Results: Mean F/V increased from 4.6 (SD 2.4) to 5.6 (SD 3.2) (p=<.01), mean serum carotenoids increased from 53.2 (SD 31.9) to 68.1 (SD 42.5) (p=<.01). At 18 months, participants in the lowest quintile of fruit and vegetable change reported an average intake of 4.42.8 servings of fruits and vegetables, and those in the highest quintile of change reported an average intake of 7.73.2 servings. In a multivariate model adjusting for age, race, gender, intervention, energy, study site, and time, lower body weight was associated with higher F/V intake measured by dietary recall (−0.63 lbs, 95% CI −0.83 to −0.42, per 1 serving increase in F/V) and serum carotenoids (−0.13 lbs, 95% CI −0.15 to −0.11, per 1 ug/dl increase in carotenoids). Results were somewhat attenuated but consistent after additional adjustments for working heart rate, exercise, calories from sugar-sweetened beverages, marital and employment status, and alcohol use . Conclusions: Greater fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with decreased body weight. Results were consistent for both objective and self-reported measures of fruit and vegetable intake.


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