Abstract
This quasi-experimental study examined the influence of a cafeteria-based tasting program on children’s fruit and vegetable (FV) preferences and self-efficacy, social norms and outcome expectations to consume FV. Third and fifth graders in the intervention schools were offered tastes of eightFV for eight weeks followed by two weeks of tasting four months post-intervention (follow-up). Preferences for 38 FV and self-efficacy, social norms and outcome expectations to consume FV were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and after follow-up tastings. Sixty-eight percent of the intervention-group children tasted fruits at least eight times and vegetables at least 20 times during the 8-week tasting program and were included in the analysis (52% third graders, 48% boys). Children who participated in tasting reported increased preferences for less commonly served fruits from baseline to post-intervention and frombaseline to follow-up and greater self-efficacy to consume FV from baseline to follow-up when compared to control-group children.
Highlights
Today‟s food environment in the United States can be described as “obesigenic” due to the unlimited supply of inexpensive and highly palatable foods that are high in energy density and sugar, fat and salt (Hill & Peters, 1998)
This situation makes it difficult to foster a preference for foods such as fruits and vegetables (FV) in children (Bowman et al, 2004; World Health Organization (WHO), 2003)
In a recent school-based cafeteria intervention, Lakkakula et al reported that children‟s liking for fruits increased after an average of two tastes and liking for vegetables increased after an average of five tastes
Summary
Outcome expectations: One‟s perceptions of the possible consequences of one‟s own actions (Bandura, 1997). Helping children improve psychosocial variables such as self-efficacy, social norms and outcome expectations may promote positive health behavior changes and increased consumption of FV. School nutrition interventions based upon the concepts of the SCT have shown promising results in changing children‟s self-efficacy to consume fruits, juices and vegetables (Baronowski et al, 2000; Tuuri et al, 2009) and positively impact their nutrition behavior (Baronowksi et al, 2000; Perry et al, 2004). The objective of Smart Bodies was to increase fourth and fifth grade children‟s knowledge of healthy nutrition practices, FV preferences and psychosocial variables associated with FV intake It provided an interactive wellness exhibit and classroom curriculum for a 12week period. Intervention programs offered at school and promoted by teachers and staff can provide an effective way to increase children‟s acceptance of nutrient-rich FV and have the potential to change behavior and improve children‟s diets
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