Children Vegetable Intake Research Articles

Associations between sociocultural home environmental factors and vegetable consumption among Norwegian 3–5-year olds: BRA-study

The home environment is the first environment to shape childhood dietary habits and food preferences, hence greater understanding of home environmental factors associated with vegetable consumption among young children is needed.The objective has been to examine questionnaire items developed to measure the sociocultural home environment of children focusing on vegetables and to assess the psychometric properties of the resulting factors. Further, to explore associations between the environmental factors and vegetable consumption among Norwegian 3–5 year olds.Parents (n 633) were invited to participate and filled in a questionnaire assessing the child's vegetable intake and factors potentially influencing this, along with a 24-h recall of their child's fruit and vegetable intake. Children's fruit and vegetable intakes at two meals in one day in the kindergarten were observed by researchers.Principal components analysis was used to examine items assessing the sociocultural home environment. Encouragement items resulted in factors labelled “reactive encouragement”, “child involvement” and “reward”. Modelling items resulted in the factors labelled “active role model” and “practical role model”. Items assessing negative parental attitudes resulted in the factor labelled “negative parental attitudes” and items assessing family pressure/demand resulted in the factor labelled “family demand”. The psychometric properties of the factors were for most satisfactory. Linear regression of the associations between vegetable intake and the factors showed, as expected, generally positive associations with “child involvement”, “practical role model” and “family demand”, and negative associations with “negative parental attitudes” and “reward”. Unexpectedly, “reactive encouragement” was negatively associated with vegetable consumption.In conclusion, associations between sociocultural home environmental factors and children's vegetable consumption showed both expected and unexpected associations some of which differed by maternal education – pointing to a need for further comparable studies.

Expert Approaches to Increase a Child's Vegetable Intake: A Qualitative Examination of Techniques and Tactics

Is there a way for parents to get their children to eat their vegetables without the yelling and ultimatums? We report novel and insightful methods used by experts to successfully encourage vegetable consumption among US children. Researchers conducted interviews with 78 inside sources (experts in promoting vegetable consumption in children, such as daycare workers, cafeteria managers, and teachers) and categorized their favorite techniques into five groups: choice (15%), modeling (15%), consumption norms (15%), meal planning and preparation (23%), and games (31%). One novel insight involves role‐play and make‐believe worlds during mealtime to engage, entice, and evolve children. Make mealtime both fun and functional by applying these five types of tactics.

A Theory-Based Dietary Intervention for Overweight, Postpartum Mothers and Their Children Improves Maternal Vegetable Intake

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a dietary intervention to increase target vegetable intake in overweight, postpartum mothers; and their children. Methods: Overweight mothers attending their six-week postpartum follow-up visit and their infants (n = 104 pairs) were randomized to intervention or usual care groups during the time period 2008-2011. Mothers received four 60 minute education sessions with a nutrition professional and eight monthly follow-up phone calls. Counseling began at the obstetrician office and continued at the regularly scheduled pediatric visits. The primary study outcome was the change in maternal target vegetable intake. Secondary outcomes included child target vegetable intake and whether child vegetable intake was modified by exposure to breastfeeding. Mother/child energy intake and weight indices were also assessed. Outcomes were measured at baseline (6-weeks postpartum), 6, 12 (post-intervention), and 18 (follow-up) months. Mixed-effects models were used to estimate the impact of the dietary intervention on study outcomes relative to usual care. Results: Mothers randomized to the intervention had greater consumption of target vegetables at 6, 12 and 18 months (P P P = 0.03, respectively). There were no differences between groups in maternal energy intake, body mass index, or child target vegetable or energy intake. The child’s target vegetable intake at 12 months was related to the mother’s intake at 6 months (P = 0.03), however, this relationship was not modified by exposure to breastfeeding. Conclusion: A dietary intervention targeting the diet of the mother/child dyad resulted in improved maternal vegetable intake.

Associations between physical home environmental factors and vegetable consumption among Norwegian 3-5-year-olds: the BRA-study.

First, to explore item pools developed to measure the physical home environment of pre-school children and assess the psychometric properties of these item pools; second, to explore associations between this environment and vegetable consumption among Norwegian 3-5-year-olds. Data were collected in three steps: (i) a parental web-based questionnaire assessing the child's vegetable intake and factors potentially influencing the child's vegetable consumption; (ii) direct observation of the children's fruit, berry and vegetable intakes at two meals in one day in the kindergarten; and (iii) a parental web-based 24 h recall. The target group for this study was pre-school children born in 2010 and 2011, attending public or private kindergartens in the counties of Vestfold and Buskerud, Norway. A total of 633 children participated. Principal component analysis on the thirteen-item pool assessing availability/accessibility resulted in two factors labelled 'availability at home' and 'accessibility at home', while the eight-item pool assessing barriers resulted in two factors labelled 'serving barriers' and 'purchase barriers'. The psychometric properties of these factors were satisfactory. Linear regression of the associations between vegetable intake and the factors showed generally positive associations with 'availability at home' and 'accessibility at home' and negative associations with 'serving barriers'. This age group has so far been understudied and there is a need for comparable studies. Our findings highlight the importance of targeting the physical home environment of pre-school children in future interventions as there are important modifiable factors that both promote and hinder vegetable consumption in this environment.

Investigating offering of vegetables by caregivers of preschool age children.

Research into the methods which caregivers use to encourage children to eat vegetables is limited, with minimal evidence about what the barriers are to offering these foods. Vegetable consumption in children is typically low, and so gaining information on these factors is vital in order to develop further caregiver-centred interventions to increase children's vegetable consumption. This study aimed to investigate the methods caregivers use to offer vegetables to preschool aged children, as well as the factors which influence whether and how caregivers present vegetables to their children. Seventeen caregivers with a preschool aged child participated in focus groups to assess these questions. Thematic analysis indicated that caregivers use a range of methods to offer their children vegetables, with these methods falling into three broad categories: behavioural/active methods, passive methods and food manipulations. Influences on caregiver offering which emerged from the focus groups formed four categories: information, cost, parent factors and child factors. Together with large-scale quantitative data, this information can be used to shape future interventions aiming to increase children's vegetable intake as well as to tailor advice given to caregivers striving to achieve a healthful diet for their children.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Konsumsi Sayur Pada Anak Di SD Negeri 05 Simpang Tiga Kecamatan Luhak Nan Duo Kabupaten Pasaman Barat Tahun 2013

Vegetables and fruits are a source of the best fiber with a high water content, it useful facilitate digestion. The cause of nutrition problem is the lack of nutrition including vegetable intake in children. Thesurvey resultsobtainedfromSDN05whichat least12 peopleto consume vegetables(40%).. Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Directorate of Horticulture, said the people of Indonesia vegetable consumption among the lowest in the world. The low consumption of vegetables in children is influenced by several factors, knowledge, attitude, related factor availability of vegetables, and education, this study aims to determine the Factors Associated With Vegetable Consumption In Children At SD N 05 Simpang Tiga subdistrict Luhak Nan Duo West Pasaman 2014.This research is analytic studies using cross sectional study design with the entire population of mothers who have children attending the elementary school as much as 439 people, random sampling method (random sampling). The collection of data is data taken from the distribution of questionnaires to the respondents. The collected data is processed by computerized using Chi-square statistical test. These results indicate that most mothers high knowledge level of 41 (50,6%), have a positive attitude 31 (38,3%), availability of vegetables 56 (69,1%) and higher education 18 (22,2%). The results of chi-square test for knowledge obtained p = 1,000, p = 0.322 attitude, availability of vegetable p = 0.878 and p = 0.928 obtained education. It means that the probability of p> .0,05. So some hypothesis is not proven, it means there is no relationship between knowledge, attitude, availability of vegetable and education with vegetable consumption in children, Suggestedthat the counseling and health education to mothers of elementary school children about the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet containing vegetables inelementaryschoolchildren.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Konsumsi Sayur Pada Anak Di SD Negeri 05 Simpang Tiga Kecamatan Luhak Nan Duo Kabupaten Pasaman Barat Tahun 2014

Vegetables and fruits are a source of the best fiber with a high water content, it useful facilitate digestion. The cause of nutrition problem is the lack of nutrition including vegetable intake in children. Thesurvey resultsobtainedfromSDN05whichat least12 peopleto consume vegetables(40%).. Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Directorate of Horticulture, said the people of Indonesia vegetable consumption among the lowest in the world. The low consumption of vegetables in children is influenced by several factors, knowledge, attitude, related factor availability of vegetables, and education, this study aims to determine the Factors Associated With Vegetable Consumption In Children At SD N 05 Simpang Tiga subdistrict Luhak Nan Duo West Pasaman 2014.This research is analytic studies using cross sectional study design with the entire population of mothers who have children attending the elementary school as much as 439 people, random sampling method (random sampling). The collection of data is data taken from the distribution of questionnaires to the respondents. The collected data is processed by computerized using Chi-square statistical test. These results indicate that most mothers high knowledge level of 41 (50,6%), have a positive attitude 31 (38,3%), availability of vegetables 56 (69,1%) and higher education 18 (22,2%). The results of chi-square test for knowledge obtained p = 1,000, p = 0.322 attitude, availability of vegetable p = 0.878 and p = 0.928 obtained education. It means that the probability of p> .0,05. So some hypothesis is not proven, it means there is no relationship between knowledge, attitude, availability of vegetable and education with vegetable consumption in children, Suggestedthat the counseling and health education to mothers of elementary school children about the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet containing vegetables inelementaryschoolchildren.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Konsumsi Sayur Pada Anak Di SD Negeri 05 Simpang Tiga Kecamatan Luhak Nan Duo Kabupaten Pasaman Barat Tahun 2014

Vegetables and fruits are a source of the best fiber with a high water content, it useful facilitate digestion. The cause of nutrition problem is the lack of nutrition including vegetable intake in children. Thesurvey resultsobtainedfromSDN05whichat least12 peopleto consume vegetables(40%).. Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Directorate of Horticulture, said the people of Indonesia vegetable consumption among the lowest in the world. The low consumption of vegetables in children is influenced by several factors, knowledge, attitude, related factor availability of vegetables, and education, this study aims to determine the Factors Associated With Vegetable Consumption In Children At SD N 05 Simpang Tiga subdistrict Luhak Nan Duo West Pasaman 2014.This research is analytic studies using cross sectional study design with the entire population of mothers who have children attending the elementary school as much as 439 people, random sampling method (random sampling). The collection of data is data taken from the distribution of questionnaires to the respondents. The collected data is processed by computerized using Chi-square statistical test. These results indicate that most mothers high knowledge level of 41 (50,6%), have a positive attitude 31 (38,3%), availability of vegetables 56 (69,1%) and higher education 18 (22,2%). The results of chi-square test for knowledge obtained p = 1,000, p = 0.322 attitude, availability of vegetable p = 0.878 and p = 0.928 obtained education. It means that the probability of p> .0,05. So some hypothesis is not proven, it means there is no relationship between knowledge, attitude, availability of vegetable and education with vegetable consumption in children, Suggestedthat the counseling and health education to mothers of elementary school children about the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet containing vegetables inelementaryschoolchildren.

Do social norm based messages increase fruit and vegetable intake in children?

Do social norm based messages increase fruit and vegetable intake in children?

The effect of multiple target versus single target vegetable exposure to increase vegetable intake in children

The effect of multiple target versus single target vegetable exposure to increase vegetable intake in children

Strategies to increase children's vegetable intake in home and community settings: a systematic review of literature.

A systematic review was undertaken to identify intervention characteristics associated with increasing consumption of vegetables in children (2-12 years). PubMed, PsychINFO and CABabstracts were used to identify studies published between 2004-2014 that had measures of vegetable consumption, a minimum of 3-month follow-up and were conducted in home and community settings (outside of schools). Twenty-two studies were included in the review. Details of the study design, population, setting, intervention characteristics, target behaviour, behaviour change techniques used and vegetable intake were extracted. Study quality and intensity were scored. Overall, 12/22 studies were effective short-term, and 6/10 were effective long-term (6 + months); mean short-term change in vegetable intake was 29%, equating to an increase of a quarter to a half of a serving of vegetables. Intervention effectiveness was associated with number of settings targeted and frequency of contact but not length of intervention. Planning for social support, vegetable exposure and provision of staff training were commonly used behaviour change techniques in effective interventions. This review has identified strategies that may optimise effectiveness of future home-based and community-based interventions aiming to increase vegetable intake in young children.

Examining the relationship between vegetable intake of mothers and that of their children: a cross-sectional study of 10- to 12-year-old schoolchildren in Japan.

The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between mothers' and children's vegetable intake and whether children are conscious about their vegetable intake. Cross-sectional study. Self-administered questionnaires for mothers and children, consisting of items regarding diet history, were distributed to children via homeroom teachers. We created dummy exposure variables for each quartile of mothers' vegetable intake. Multiple regression analysis was performed with children's vegetable intake as the outcome variable. Two public elementary schools in a residential district of Tokyo, Japan. Study participants were upper-grade children (aged 10-12 years) and their mothers (332 pairs of mothers and children). The mean vegetable intake in mothers and children was 310 (sd 145) g/d and 276 (sd 105) g/d, respectively. A positive linear relationship was found between mothers' and children's vegetable intake even after adjustment for considerable covariates (P<0·001). When stratified by children's consciousness, the positive linear relationship was more pronounced in children who were conscious of eating all their vegetables (P<0·001 for interaction with children's consciousness). Mothers' vegetable intake was significantly correlated with children's vegetable intake. However, this correlation was stronger in children who were conscious of eating all their vegetables. Our findings suggest that enhancing mother's vegetable intake and health consciousness of children are indispensable prerequisites for increasing vegetable intake among children.

Feeding Strategies Derived from Behavioral Economics and Psychology Can Increase Vegetable Intake in Children as Part of a Home-Based Intervention: Results of a Pilot Study

BackgroundBehavioral economics and psychology have been applied to altering food choice, but most studies have not measured food intake under free-living conditions. ObjectivesTo test the effects of a strategy that pairs positive stimuli (ie, stickers and cartoon packaging) with vegetables and presents them as the default snack. DesignA randomized controlled trial was conducted with children who reported consumption of fewer than two servings of vegetables daily. Children (aged 3 to 5 years) in both control (n=12) and treatment (n=12) groups received a week’s supply of plainly packaged (ie, generic) vegetables, presented by parents as a free choice with an alternative snack (granola bar), during baseline (Week 1) and follow-up (Week 4). During Weeks 2 and 3, the control group continued to receive generic packages of vegetables presented as a free choice, but the treatment group received vegetables packaged in containers with favorite cartoon characters and stickers inside, presented by parents as the default choice. Children in the treatment group were allowed to opt out of the vegetables and request the granola bar after an imposed 5-minute wait. Statistical analysisGeneral Linear Model repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted to compare vegetable and granola bar intake between control and treatment groups across the 4-week study. Both within- and between-subjects models were tested. ResultsA time×treatment interaction on vegetable intake was significant. The treatment group increased vegetable intake from baseline to Week 2 relative to control (P<0.01), but the effects were not sustained at Week 4 when the treatment was removed. Granola bar intake decreased in the treatment group at Week 2 (P≤0.001) and Week 3 (P≤0.005) relative to baseline. ConclusionsParents were able to administer feeding practices derived from behavioral economics and psychology in the home to increase children’s vegetable intake and decrease intake of a high-energy-density snack. Additional studies are needed to test the long-term sustainability of these practices.

Influence of choice on vegetable intake in children: an in-home study

Children's vegetable consumption is still far below that recommended, and stimulating their intake is a challenge for caregivers. The objective of this study was to investigate whether choice-offering is an effective strategy to increase children's vegetable intake in an in-home situation. Seventy children (mean age 3.7; SD 1) randomly assigned to a choice or a no-choice condition, were exposed 12 times to six familiar target vegetables at home during dinner. In the choice group, two selected vegetables were offered each time, whereas the no-choice group only received one vegetable. Vegetable intake was measured by weighing children's plates before and after dinner. A mixed linear model with age, gender, and baseline vegetable liking as covariates was used to compare intake between the choice and the no-choice group. Mixed linear model analysis yielded estimated means for vegetable intake of 48.5 g +/− 30 in the no-choice group and 57.7 g +/− 31 for the choice group (P = 0.09). In addition, baseline vegetable liking (P < 0.001) and age (P = 0.06) predicted vegetable intake to be higher when the child liked vegetables better and with older age. These findings suggest that choice-offering has some, but hardly robust, effect on increasing vegetable intake in children. Other factors such as age and liking of vegetables also mediate the effect of offering a choice.

Choice-offering as a strategy to stimulate vegetable intake in young children. An in-home study

Poor vegetable intake in children is a persistent problem, despite increased awareness of the importance of vegetable consumption in our obesogenic environment. Encouraging children's feeling of autonomy by offering a choice can stimulate children's vegetable intake, according to self-determination theory. The objective of this study was to investigate whether choice-offering is an effective strategy to increase children's vegetable intake. Children (Mage 3.7; SD 1; n?=?70) were randomly assigned to either the choice or the no-choice condition. Each child was exposed 12 times to six familiar target vegetables in both groups at home during the evening meal. In the choice group, two selected vegetables were offered each time, whereas in the no-choice group only one vegetable was offered. Vegetable intake was measured by weighing children's plates before and after dinnertime. A mixed linear model with age, gender, and baseline vegetable liking as covariates was used to compare intake between the choice and the no-choice group. Baseline vegetable liking predicted vegetable intake during the intervention (P?

A parent‐based intervention to promote healthy eating and active behaviours in pre‐school children: evaluation of theMEND2–4 randomized controlled trial

There is a paucity of studies evaluating targeted obesity prevention interventions in pre-school children. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a parent-based obesity prevention intervention for pre-schoolers - MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition … Do It!) 2-4 on child diet, eating habits, physical activity/sedentary behaviours, and body mass index (BMI). Parent-child dyads attended 10 weekly 90-min workshops relating to nutrition, physical activity and behaviours, including guided active play and healthy snack time. Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6 and 12 months post-intervention; child intake of vegetables, fruit, beverages, processed snack foods, fussiness, satiety responsiveness, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and neophobia were assessed via parent proxy report. Parent and child height and weight were measured. Two hundred one parent-child dyads were randomized to intervention (n = 104) and control (n = 97). Baseline mean child age was 2.7 (standard deviation [SD] 0.6) years, and child BMI-for-age z-score (World Health Organization) was 0.66 (SD 0.88). We found significant positive group effects for vegetable (P = 0.01) and snack food (P = 0.03) intake, and satiety responsiveness (P = 0.047) immediately post-intervention. At 12 months follow-up, intervention children exhibited less neophobia (P = 0.03) than controls. Future research should focus on additional strategies to support parents to continue positive behaviour change. ACTRN12610000200088.

Effectiveness of a universal parental support programme to promote healthy dietary habits and physical activity and to prevent overweight and obesity in 6-year-old children: the Healthy School Start Study, a cluster-randomised controlled trial.

ObjectiveTo develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a parental support programme to promote healthy dietary and physical activity habits and to prevent overweight and obesity in Swedish children.MethodsA cluster-randomised controlled trial was carried out in areas with low to medium socio-economic status. Participants were six-year-old children (n = 243) and their parents. Fourteen pre-school classes were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 7) and control groups (n = 7). The intervention lasted for 6 months and included: 1) Health information for parents, 2) Motivational Interviewing with parents and 3) Teacher-led classroom activities with children. Physical activity was measured by accelerometry, dietary and physical activity habits and parental self-efficacy through a questionnaire. Body weight and height were measured and BMI standard deviation score was calculated. Measurements were conducted at baseline, post-intervention and at 6-months follow-up. Group differences were examined using analysis of covariance and Poisson regression, adjusted for gender and baseline values.ResultsThere was no significant intervention effect in the primary outcome physical activity. Sub-group analyses showed a significant gender-group interaction in total physical activity (TPA), with girls in the intervention group demonstrating higher TPA during weekends (p = 0.04), as well as in sedentary time, with boys showing more sedentary time in the intervention group (p = 0.03). There was a significantly higher vegetable intake (0.26 servings) in the intervention group compared to the control group (p = 0.003). At follow-up, sub-group analyses showed a sustained effect for boys. The intervention did not affect the prevalence of overweight or obesity.ConclusionsIt is possible to influence vegetable intake in children and girls’ physical activity through a parental support programme. The programme needs to be intensified in order to increase effectiveness and sustain the effects long-term. These findings are an important contribution to the further development of evidence-based parental support programmes to prevent overweight and obesity in children.Trial RegistrationControlled-trials.com ISRCTN32750699

Parents’ experiences with hiding vegetables as a strategy for improving children's diets

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore the practice of hiding vegetables among low socioeconomic parents.Design/methodology/approach– A qualitative longitudinal study involving 37 low socioeconomic Australian parents with at least one overweight or obese child aged five to nine years. Data were obtained with the use of interviews, focus groups, and self-introspections.Findings– Identified issues relating to the practice of hiding vegetables included: how parents manage hiding vegetables, children's presence in the kitchen during vegetable preparation, the employment of deception when hiding vegetables, the use of cookbooks and blogs, and the alternative views of parents not strongly in favour of hiding vegetables.Research limitations/implications– Hiding vegetables is a practice used by some parents to increase their children's vegetable intake. Children who are unaware of hidden vegetables in their meals are potentially missing the opportunity to develop an appreciation for vegetables and learn about vegetable preparation and cooking.Practical implications– The findings are relevant to dietitians, general practitioners, and other health professionals providing advice to parents on appropriate child-feeding strategies.Originality/value– This appears to be the first study to provide an in-depth account of low socioeconomic parents’ use of hiding vegetables to facilitate higher levels of vegetable consumption.

Associations between commercial complementary food consumption and fruit and vegetable intake in children. Results of the DONALD study

Objectives: Fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption is influenced by individual taste and food preferences that are developed early in life. Thus, the sensory properties of foods given during complementary feeding may shape later food acceptance and dietary intake. However, those experiences differ with respect to the preparation method of complementary food (CF), that is, homemade and commercial CF. The aim of this study therefore was to examine the association between the infant's consumption of commercial CF and FV intake and variety during infancy, preschool and school age. Methods: In total, 281 children of the DONALD Study with 3-day weighed dietary records at 0.5 and 0.75 (infancy), 3 and 4 (preschool age), 6 and 7 years of age (school age) were included in this analysis. Percentage of commercial CF (%cCF) was averaged at 0.5 and 0.75 years. Individual FV intake (g/day) and FV variety scores were calculated and averaged separately for all three age groups. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyse associations between %cCF and FV intake and variety. Models were adjusted for early life and socioeconomic factors. Results: For boys, higher %cCF was associated with lower vegetable intake in infancy (p < 0.0001) and preschool age (p = 0.036) as well as lower total FV intake in preschool and school age (p < 0.009). For girls, higher %cCF was associated with lower vegetable intake (p < 0.0001) in infancy. FV variety scores showed no clear associations with %cCF in girls and boys. Conclusion: The results of the DONALD Study suggest that the preparation method of CF is associated with FV consumption in infancy and at least for boys also in preschool and school age.

Effects of sucrose detection threshold and weight status on intake of fruit and vegetables in children

Past research on the relationship between taste sensitivity and fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in children has focused on sensitivity to bitter taste. The effects of sensitivity to sweet taste on intake of FV have never been investigated. Furthermore, the effects of children's weight on intake of FV are inconclusive. This study measured the effects of Sucrose Detection Threshold (SDT) and weight status on intake of FV in children. The participants of this study were 99 children between 5–9 years old. Parents reported their own and their children's 24 hour intake of FV and completed a measure of children's sensory sensitivity. Children completed the triangle test with suprathreshold concentrations of sucrose ranging between 0.2% and 1.6%, in 0.2% increments. Two MANCOVAs showed that, controlling for parental intake and children's sensory sensitivity, there was a main effect of SDT on intake of fruit (p < 0.05), which was exclusive to non-astringent fruit (p < 0.05), and cruciferous vegetables (p < 0.01). Weight status had no effect on intake of FV. Mechanisms behind the effects of SDT are discussed in the context of past research on bitter taste sensitivity.