Abstract
To determine whether the 'Read for Nutrition' programme would increase liking and consumption of broccoli (a target vegetable) in preschool children and test acceptability and practicality of the programme. Pilot pre-post intervention study, where childcare teachers received training and coaching followed by reading the book 'Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli' multiple times with the children during a three-week intervention. Five classrooms of Educare, Lincoln, Nebraska in 2018. Sixty-nine (11 to 16 children per classroom) preschool-aged children and sixteen teachers (minimum, three per classroom). Average total consumption of broccoli increased 35 % (0·14 ounces or 0·05th cup) after the 'Read for Nutrition' programme (t = 2·66; P = 0·01; 95 % CIs (0·035, 0·246)) for all children. Proportional consumption increased for children who received ≥ five exposures to the book (t46 = 2·77; P = 0·008). Exposures to the book predicted proportional consumption (β = 0·365; P = 0·002). Liking of broccoli increased (W69 = 2·2, P = 0·03) as well. Teachers rated the programme as acceptable, practical and enjoyable to children and to themselves. Programmes such as 'Read for Nutrition' have the potential to improve children's vegetable liking and consumption in early care and education settings with only book readings and no exposure to a real vegetable.
Highlights
ResultsConclusions: Programmes such as ‘Read for Nutrition’ have the potential to improve children’s vegetable liking and consumption in early care and education settings with only book readings and no exposure to a real vegetable
Setting: Five classrooms of Educare, Lincoln, Nebraska in 2018
Proportional consumption increased for children who received ≥ five exposures to the book (t46 = 2·77; P = 0·008)
Summary
A total of seventy children and sixteen ECE teachers participated in the study. Children’s average age was 4·26 (SD = 0·68) years. Average total consumption of broccoli increased 35 % (0·14 ounces or 0·05th cup) after the ‘Read for Nutrition’ programme (t = 2·66; P = 0·01; 95 % CIs (0·035, 0·246)) for all children. The average proportional consumption of broccoli increased 18·8 % from pre to post intervention; the change was NS for all children (t = 1·94; P = 0·057; 95 % CIs (–0·156, 0·0002)). Mean proportional consumption of broccoli increased by 28 % (0·11 ounces or 0·04th cup) in children (n 47) who had received ≥ five exposures to the book reading (t = 2·77; P = 0·008; 95 % CIs (0·032, 0·20)) (Table 1) with small effect size (Cohen’s d = 0·4). Children’s proportional product consumption was measured by dividing the weight of each food eaten by the total weight of food eaten.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
