Vegetable Preferences Research Articles

Fruit and vegetable consumer preferences of Japanese and Vietnam’s export potential

This study analyses consumer preferences of the Japanese for vegetables and fruits using secondary data. Additionally, to analyse Vietnam’s potential export of fruits and vegetables, this study interviewed 53 Japanese consumers. The Japanese have long embraced a healthy lifestyle. Eighty percent of the Japanese participants in the survey consume fruit and vegetable products daily or 2-3 times a week. They have a wide range of places from which to purchase vegetables and fruits. From the perspective of Japanese consumers, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable products are more diverse and cheaper than those from the US, China, Thailand, etc. However, their quality is perceived to be inferior to that of these countries. The total value of Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports to the Japanese market is quite modest, representing less than 2%. Therefore, to promote the export of Vietnamese vegetables and fruits to the Japanese market, Vietnamese enterprises should undertake the following activities simultaneously: (i) Establish an import market assessment room/centre in each Vietnamese exporting enterprise; (ii) Conduct an in-depth market study of fruit and vegetables in Japan; (iii) Improve understanding of consumer culture in Japan; (iv) Ensure quality of exported fruits and vegetables; and (v) Enhance trade promotion activities.

Cooking with the Seasons for Health (CwS4H): An Innovative Intervention That Links Nutrition Education, Cooking Skills, and Locally Grown Produce to Increase Vegetable Intake among Limited-Resource Parent-Child Dyads in Rural Washington.

Although children from limited-resource families in rural areas are at great risk for nutrition-related chronic diseases, few hands-on programs have been implemented that simultaneously engage both parents and children and include local produce in a single program. This study reports on the development, implementation, and evaluation of Cooking with the Seasons for Health (CwS4H). Parent-child pairs participated in six sessions (two weekly sessions during each of three growing seasons), which included food tasting, a spotlight vegetable, interactive mini nutrition lesson, a child-focused cooking lesson, hands-on meal preparation, distribution of materials as family guides, and a take-home bag of fresh produce. Pre- and postprogram survey data were collected from 23 parents and 22 children. Children reported improvements in nutrition knowledge, vegetable preference, and self-efficacy in food preparation and cooking. Parents reported gains in nutrition knowledge, nutritional behaviors, vegetable preference, attitude toward food preparation/cooking, involvement of the child in food preparation/cooking, confidence in preparing vegetables, and the child's vegetable intake. Parents commented on the value children placed on food preparation and produce selection and how the program enhanced the parent-child relationship. By focusing CwS4H on a variety of fresh vegetables, this intervention helped to impact children's vegetable intake behaviors by engaging children in preparing and choosing the food they eat.

European consumers' preferences for fresh fruit and vegetables – A cross-country analysis

Although fresh fruit and vegetables are essential for a balanced diet, their per capita consumption in Europe is below the recommended minimum intake. This study investigates 14 product attributes of fresh fruit and vegetables in a European cross-country analysis. Based on an online survey conducted in France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Norway (n = 3093), an object-case Best-Worst Scaling approach was applied. Results revealed both international and country-specific preference characteristics. Best-Worse scores revealed that freshness and taste scored highest in all five countries, while knowledge of the producer was considered the least important attribute. The study also derived three consumer segments by applying cluster analysis, with each segment assessed according to socio-demographic profiles. The novelty of the study is to offer a cross-country analysis of fresh fruit and vegetable consumption patterns in multiple European countries based on the Best-Worst Scaling approach and international segmentation. Managerial implications are proposed.

Importance of the origin, organic production and other extrinsic parameters in fruit and vegetable choices.

The aims of the present work were to evaluate consumers' perceptions and purchasing habits in relation to fruit and vegetables and to determine the importance of the production type, price and geographical origin of such products for consumers' purchasing decisions. For this purpose, an online consumer survey was conducted to determine Spanish people's opinions and consumption habits in relation to fruit and vegetables, especially those from organic farming. The survey also included a part to assess the importance that consumers attach to different extrinsic attributes in oranges and avocado pears (with a conjoint analysis), and a section to determine the participants' ethnocentrism. Consumers agree that organic food respects the environment more, contains fewer 'chemicals' and is more natural. Price is the first reason why many people do not buy organic food, followed by them thinking that they do not offer any added value and they are difficult to find. For the Spanish population, country of origin, local production, seasonality and price are much more important attributes for purchasing fruit and vegetables than them being organic. This study reflects a relatively high ethnocentrism level of the surveyed population, especially in older individuals. Given consumer preference for km 0/local and seasonal products, and the importance of these parameters for the environment, promoting the market of such products would help to achieve some Sustainable Development Goals. This study offers a vision of the trends of Spanish consumers in relation to fruit and vegetable preferences, which can help producers and distributors to design new strategies that focus on meeting consumer demands.

Translating and Testing a Digital Game Promoting Vegetable Consumption in Young Children: Usability Study.

Promoting healthy eating in children is key to preventing chronic diseases, and vegetable consumption is notably lower than recommended in this population. Among the interventions tested, gamification has shown promise in promoting familiarization, increasing knowledge, and potentially increasing vegetable intake. This pilot study aimed first to translate the digital game "Veggies4myHeart" into French and to assess its influence on young children's preferences and willingness to taste vegetables when combined with repeated tasting and education. We also aimed to investigate the acceptability and applicability of the game in 2 classrooms. During 5 consecutive weekly sessions, children from 2 elementary classes played the digital game consisting of 5 mini games on different vegetables (lettuce, carrot, red cabbage, cucumber, and tomato) in pairs for 10-15 minutes. In addition, they discussed one of the vegetables and tasted the 5 vegetables in each session. Pretest and posttest food preferences and willingness to taste the vegetables were compared. Teachers participated in a semistructured interview. A total of 45 children aged 5 to 6 years tested the French version of the digital game. The children's declared food preferences were already high for carrot, cucumber, and tomato, with scores higher than 4 out of a maximum of 5. The scores did not change significantly after the intervention, except for red cabbage (pretest: mean 2.52, SD 1.49; posttest: mean 3.29, SD 1.67; P=.006) and a composite score (pretest: mean 3.76, SD 1.06; posttest: mean 4.05, SD 1.03; P=.001). Before the intervention, 18 (44%), 30 (73%), 16 (39%), 29 (71%), and 26 (63%) children out of 41 were willing to taste lettuce, carrot, red cabbage, cucumber, and tomato, respectively. After the intervention, no significant statistical differences were observed, with 23 (51%), 36 (80%), 24 (53%), 33 (73%), and 29 (64%) children out of 45 willing to taste lettuce, carrot, red cabbage, cucumber, and tomato, respectively. Teachers supported this tool combined with repeated tasting and education and highlighted facilitators and barriers that should be anticipated to improve implementation in schools. In this study, we translated an existing digital game applicable and acceptable to both children and teachers. A larger study is warranted to confirm the effectiveness of interventions using the digital game to promote vegetable preference, willingness to taste, and intake.

Association Between Dietary Knowledge and Food Preferences in Residents Aged 18 and Over in China Based on Latent Class Analysis

Objective To investigate the food preferences and explore the potential association between dietary knowledge and food preferences in residents aged 18 and over in China,so as to provide a basis for promoting healthy diets.Methods The latent class analysis was carried out with the 2015 cross-sectional data of China health and nutrition survey to categorize the food preferences among 8 783 residents aged 18 and over.Multinomial Logistic regression was adopted to assess the association between and dietary knowledge and food preferences.Results The food preferences of the residents aged 18 and over in China were classified into preference for less vegetable(3.28%),lack of preference(11.20%),diverse preferences(4.19%),and preference for healthy diets(81.33%).The proportion of the adults with dietary knowledge was 36.87%(3 238/8 783).The dietary knowledge varied in the adults with different food preferences(all P<0.001).After adjusting for gender,age,urban and rural distribution,education background,and annual household income,for each point increase in the dietary knowledge score,there was an estimated reduction of 22% in the probability of preferring less vegetables(OR=0.78,95%CI=0.76-0.80, P<0.001),13% in the probability of lacking preference(OR=0.87,95%CI=0.86-0.89, P<0.001),and 3% in the probability of having diverse preferences(OR=0.97,95%CI=0.94-1.00, P=0.030).Compared with those lacking dietary knowledge,the individuals with dietary knowledge had a 77% less probability of preferring less vegetables(OR=0.23,95%CI=0.16-0.32, P<0.001),a 55% less probability of lacking preference(OR=0.45,95%CI=0.39-0.53, P<0.001),and a 23% less probability of having diverse preferences(OR=0.77,95%CI=0.61-0.96, P=0.023).Conclusions The residents aged 18 and over in China presented four food preferences,including preference for less vegetables,lack of preference,diverse preferences,and preference for healthy diets,the last of which had the highest proportion.The individuals with lower levels of dietary knowledge have higher probability of preferring unhealthy food.

Optimizing water and nitrogen management strategies to improve their use efficiency, eggplant yield and fruit quality.

With improvement in living standards, consumer preferences for vegetables are changing from quantity- to quality-oriented. Water and nitrogen supply, as two major determinants of vegetable crop yield and quality, can be optimally managed to improve the yield and quality. To evaluate the response in yield, fruit quality, and water and nitrogen utilization of eggplant to different water and nitrogen management strategies, a 2-year (2021 and 2022) field trial under mulched drip irrigation was conducted. The growth period was divided into seedling, flowering and fruit set, fruit development, and fruit ripening stages. Three irrigation levels were applied during the flowering and fruit set stage: W0, adequate water supply (70%-80% of field water capacity, FC); W1, mild water deficit (60%-70% FC); and W2, moderate water deficit (50%-60% FC). In addition, three nitrogen application rates were applied: N1, low nitrogen level (215 kg ha-1); N2, medium nitrogen level (270 kg ha-1); and N3, high nitrogen level (325 kg ha-1). The irrigation and nitrogen rates were applied in all combinations (i.e., nine treatments in total). Adequate water supply throughout the reproductive period in combination with no nitrogen application served as the control (CK). The yield of the W1N2 treatment was significantly increased by 32.62% and 35.06% in 2021 and 2022, respectively, compared with that of the CK. Fruit soluble protein, soluble solids, and vitamin C contents were significantly higher under W1 than W2. Fruit quality was significantly higher under the N2 rate compared with the other nitrogen rates. The W1N2 treatment showed the highest water productivity, with a significant increase of 11.27%-37.84% (2021) and 14.71%-42.48% (2022) compared with that under the other treatments. Based on the average water-deficit degree and nitrogen application rate, W0 and N1 had the highest partial factor productivity of nitrogen. Assessment of the results using the TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution) method indicated that mild water deficit in combination with the medium nitrogen application rate (W1N2) was the optimal water and nitrogen management strategy for cultivated eggplant. The present findings contribute novel insights into the sustainable cultivation of eggplant in an oasis arid environment.

Responsiveness to warning sensations and anxiety-related psychological traits modulate individual differences in preference for vegetable foods with varied sensory properties

The innate aversion to warning sensations is an important barrier to the acceptance of vegetable food often characterized by bitter and sour tastes, and astringency. Large individual variations exist in preference for this food category. The present study aimed at exploring differences in demographics, anthropometrics, taste responsiveness, personality traits and attitudes in consumers differing in their preference for vegetable food with varied levels of warning sensations. A panel of Italian consumers (n = 718; 53.6% women, age 18–74 years) self-reported familiarity with, preference for and choice of vegetables with high and low levels of warning sensations. Two clusters were identified: High Warning-Vegetable Consumers (HWVC, n = 464) and Low-Warning Vegetable Consumers (LWVC, n = 254). HWVC showed higher familiarity with and preference for vegetables as a whole and higher choice of vegetables characterized by warning sensations than LWVC. HWVC were more represented by older and normal weight individuals as compared to LWVC. Differences among clusters in liking for and perception of a phenol-enriched plant-based food model specifically developed to induce different levels of bitterness, sourness and astringency were found. HWVC rated bitterness, sourness, and astringency lower and liking higher than LWVC. Scores in anxiety-related psychological traits were lower while attitudes to healthy and high-quality food choice were higher in HWVC than in LWVC. The results of the present study depicted a coherent interplay among several person-related dimensions in modulating preference for vegetable foods. Higher responsiveness to warning sensations, higher level of anxiety-related traits, lower importance assigned to food healthy/quality aspects and younger age all acted as barriers to exposure and acceptance of vegetable food and call for a multidimensional approach to promote the consumption of this food category.

Food Preferences of Primary School Students in Yazd, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Studies have shown that children’s food preferences play a main role in the formation of long-term eating habits and nutritional patterns in their future lives. This study aimed to investigate food preferences of primary students in Yazd, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 420 primary school students of Yazd, both male and female, using two-stage sampling method. The data collection tool was a self-administered questionnaire including demographic variables and food preferences checklist. The data were entered in SPSS 23 software and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The significance level of the tests was considered as P-value &lt; 0.05. Results: Starchy food category with the mean score of 3.70±0.44 was reported as the highest food preference and protein category (3.17±0.69) was reported as the lowest food preference among food categories in students. Gender, economic status, and body mass index (BMI) were related to students’ food preferences (P &lt; 0.05). The median score of food preference for vegetables, fruits, and proteins in girls was higher than boys (P &lt; 0.05), and for starchy food, fast foods, snacks, and fats was higher for boys than for girls (P &lt; 0.01). The mean score of starchy food preference in students with lean and normal BMI was higher than students in overweight and obese group (P= 0.01). Conclusion: Starchy food and protein categories were reported as the highest and lowest food preferences among primary school students, respectively. It seems necessary to pay special attention to increase the awareness of students as well as their parents and primary schools principals about healthy foods in childhood and healthy food environments.

Selection of substrate type, substrate color, and vegetation by tadpoles of Dryophytes plicatus

The characteristics of microhabitats in streams can drive the distribution of tadpoles. We experimentally examined microhabitat selection of tadpoles of Dryophytes plicatus. We used a series of choice experiments to test if tadpoles had preferences for particular substrate types, substrate colors, and vegetation. Tadpoles of D. plicatus had a strong preference for mud substrates over sand, gravel, and rock substrates and preferred darker substrates over lighter substrates. Dryophytes plicatus tadpoles used the non-vegetated side of an aquarium more than the vegetated side. Our experimental results matched previous field observations in the case of the preference for mud substrates but differed from the field observations for substrate color and vegetation, suggesting that basic underlying preferences may be modified by various factors in nature or by learning or conditioning.

P05-002-23 Did COVID-19 Influence Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Preferences? Examining Attitudes Towards the Pandemic and Its Impacts on Consumption

P05-002-23 Did COVID-19 Influence Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Preferences? Examining Attitudes Towards the Pandemic and Its Impacts on Consumption

Nature-Related Odors Influence Stress and Eating Behavior: A Laboratory Experiment With Pine and Grass Volatiles

Before and after Trier Social Stress Test, 91 participants (18–50 years, 67% women) inhaled one odor during 10 min: Scots pine, grass (=cis-3-hexenol), or control (=demineralized water). Group differences were tested on repeated measurements of stress (affect reports, salivary cortisol and heart rate variability) and eating behavior (food choice and craving). Both nature olfactory exposures improved some stress outcomes. Both were associated with lower cortisol in non-stress conditions, but only grass odor was more beneficial for negative affect decrease after stress. No effect on heart rate variability was seen. Some contradictory findings were present for eating behavior. In non-stress situations, grass odor increased vegetable preference, while the pine odor group had higher sweet high-fat snack preference. Grass odor was also reported to induce healthier food choices. During stress recovery, both pine and grass odor groups had higher preference to sweet high-fat snacks.

Faktor Determinan Konsumsi Sayur Dan Buah Pada Anak SDN 01 Hajimena, Lampung Selatan Tahun 2023

Background: Fruit and vegetable have advantages as a source of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals which play an important role in growth and disease prevention. Low vegetable and fruit intake in children is associated with a risk of health problems in adulthood. Purpose: To determine the relationship of knowledge, availability, and preferences with the consumption of vegetables and fruit in elementary school children. Methods: The research location is SDN 01 Hajimena, Natar District, South Lampung. There were 66 students who participated in this study. Participants were grade 5 and 6 students who were taken by systematic random sampling of 199 students. The design of this study was cross-sectional, when data collection was conducted in May 2023. Data analysis used the Chi-Squared test. Result: The results showed that the consumption of vegetables and fruit for school children was low. The average consumption of vegetables is 159 grams/day while fruit consumption is 102 grams/day. Conclusion: Knowledge, availability, preferences of vegetables and fruit correlated with vegetable and fruit consumption (p&lt;0.05).

Chorology and phytosociological affinity of Greater Spearwort (Ranunculus lingua L.) in Slovakia

Ranunculus lingua is an Euro-Siberian vascular plant species of freshwater habitats. Distribution and vegetation preferences of this rare species, which is native to the Slovak flora, have not yet been critically revised. The present paper aimed i) to provide the first complex distribution pattern of this species in Slovakia and ii) to analyse all available vegetation plots with species occurrence in order to elucidate the variability of plant communities. The distribution data were retrieved from herbarium specimens, literature records and field surveys. Our revision suggests that R. lingua was found particularly in the lowland areas of the western, south-western and south-eastern parts of the country. It was very rare in other regions of Slovakia, and several populations have become extinct due to drainage or habitat destruction. New localities of secondary origin were additionally documented in some human-made habitats. The temporal trend showed a strong decrease in the number of localities in natural habitats, mainly in the hilly and mountainous regions of the Western Carpathians from the 1980s to the end of the twentieth century. R. lingua was recorded in both forest and treeless swamp communities. Vegetation analysis revealed numerous records mainly in eutrophic marshes (Phragmito-Magnocaricetea class), willow and alder carrs (Franguletea and Alnetea glutinosae).

An economic analysis of consumers’ preference for organic vegetables

The consumer awareness has been increasing on the healthy diet and hence the demand towards organically produced vegetables has been increasing at a faster rate. This study focuses on consumers caution on food safety and willingness to pay (WTP) for organically produced vegetables in Coimbatore city of Tamil Nadu, India. The data is collected from 120 consumers to assess the WTP and awareness on organically produced brinjal. The result revealed that the awareness among the consumers is low but the consumers were WTP more for the organically produced vegetable. Logit model was used to assess the impact of the selected explanatory variables that determine WTP for organically produced brinjal. Age, education, income, knowledge, accessibility and experience are the major factors which influences the consumers WTP.

Forest gaps increase true bug diversity by recruiting open land species

Forests canopy gaps play an important role in forest ecology by driving the forest mosaic cycle and creating conditions for rapid plant reproduction and growth. The availability of young plants, which represent resources for herbivores, and modified environmental conditions with greater availability of light and higher temperatures, promote the colonization of animals. Remarkably, the role of gaps on insect communities has received little attention and the source of insects colonizing gaps has not been studied comprehensively. Using a replicated full-factorial forest experiment (treatments: Gap; Gap + Deadwood; Deadwood; Control), we show that following gap creation, there is a rapid change in the true bug (Heteroptera) community structure, with an increase in species that are mainly recruited from open lands. Compared with closed-canopy treatments (Deadwood and Control), open canopy treatments (Gap and Gap + Deadwood) promoted an overall increase in species (+ 59.4%, estimated as number of species per plot) and individuals (+ 76.3%) of true bugs, mainly herbivores and species associated to herbaceous vegetation. Community composition also differed among treatments, and all 17 significant indicator species (out of 117 species in total) were associated with the open canopy treatments. Based on insect data collected in grasslands and forests over an 11-year period, we found that the species colonizing experimental gaps had greater body size and a greater preference for open vegetation. Our results indicate that animal communities that assemble following gap creation contain a high proportion of habitat generalists that not occurred in closed forests, contributing significantly to overall diversity in forest mosaics.

Change in preference for vegetables and their perceptual attributes as a function of age and pickiness

Preference for vegetables is influenced by various factors, including demographic, psychological, socio-environmental, and genetic factors. This study confirmed that age, pickiness, and perceptual attributes were predictors of preference for vegetables and examined how preference for vegetables and their perceptual attributes varies with age and pickiness. Children (8–14 years, n = 420), youth (15–34 years, n = 569), middle-aged adults (35–64 years, n = 726), and older adults (65–85 years, n = 270) were asked which vegetables they liked (or disliked) and which perceptual attributes of each vegetable they liked (or disliked). On the basis of their responses, an overall preference score and a preference sub-score for each perceptual attribute were calculated. Participants in each age group were classified into four statuses (non-, mild, moderate, and severe) according to their pickiness scores. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age and preference sub-scores for eight perceptual attributes (sweetness, sourness, bitterness, umami, pungency, orthonasal aroma, texture, and appearance) were positive predictors of overall preference score and that pickiness score and four perceptual attributes (saltiness, astringency, retronasal aroma, and aftertaste) were negative predictors. In addition, overall preference score and preference sub-scores for perceptual attributes other than saltiness increased with increasing age group and decreasing picker status; however, preference sub-scores for at least one of the six perceptual attributes (bitterness, astringency, pungency, orthonasal aroma, retronasal aroma, and aftertaste) exhibited negative values in children, youth, and pickers (mild, moderate, and severe). The increase in preference for these perceptual attributes might be an indicator of the adultization of food perception and the expansion of food acceptance.

Consumer Preferences of Vegetables and Fruits at Farmer’s Household Level on the Potential Development of Horticultural Technology Innovations in Central Kalimantan’s Food Estate (Case Study in Village of Belanti Siam, District of Pandih Batu, Regency of Pulang Pisau, Central Kalimantan)

The sustainability of vegetable and fruit development model in the food estate area depends on the ability to cultivate commodities demanded by the market in a chain of efficient marketing. The purpose of this study is to probe consumer behaviour regarding the availability of fruit and vegetable commodities, the problems associated with it, and to analyse potential for developing technological innovations in the village of Belanti Siam. This research was conducted in 2020 via interviews with 33 respondents, utilizing analysis of consumer preferences and qualitative descriptive analysis methods. The results show that the population met the needs of fruit and vegetables from harvesting and purchasing. The availability of those commodities is more consistent if they are self-produced since the farmers’ can do their own quality and cost-control. The integration of rice commodities with vegetables and fruit is expected to overcome the constraints of a shortage caused by logistical challenges and poor quality due to relying only on outsourcing from outside the region. Increased income of farmers and marketers through value chain enhancement created from the ability to meet product requirements according to market needs, maintained quality and cost efficiency has the potential to develop the adoption of horticultural technology innovations in a sustainable manner in food estates.

Effectiveness of a Behavior-and Age-Specific Nutrition Education Intervention to Promote Nutrition Knowledge and Preference for Fruits and Vegetables among Elementary School Children

ABSTRACT Background Lack of nutrition knowledge, low preference for fruits and vegetables (F&V), and underdeveloped taste are recognized as modifiable influencers of children’s F&V intake. Purpose To assess the effectiveness of a behavior-and age-specific nutrition education intervention to improve nutrition knowledge and preference for F&V among elementary school children. Methods In a quasi-experimental pre-and posttest assessment designed study, a six-week nutrition education intervention (including class-based nutrition education, hands-on activities, cooking demonstrations, and tasting) was implemented at four elementary schools. Nutrition knowledge and preference for F&V were evaluated at baseline and after the intervention. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was carried out to examine the differences between baseline and post-assessment. Results A total of 115 children (3rd- 5th grade) completed both baseline and post-assessment. After the intervention, participants showed a significant improvement in nutrition knowledge (mean [± sd] change score: 7.6 ± 3.7, P < .001). A significant improvement in F&V preference (Ps < .001) was found among the participants after the intervention. Discussion An age-and behavior-focused nutrition education intervention can improve children’s nutrition knowledge and F&V preference. Translation to Health Education Practice: This nutrition education curriculum can be implemented for the child population (age-specific groups) by adapting cultural priorities in nutrition lessons and cooking recipes. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars

Identifying positive and negative deviants and factors associated with healthy dietary practices among young schoolchildren in Nepal: a mixed methods study

BackgroundSchool-based interventions have been implemented in resource-limited settings to promote healthy dietary habits, but their sustainability remains a challenge. This study identified positive deviants (PDs) and negative deviants (NDs) from the control and treatment groups in a nutrition-sensitive agricultural intervention in Nepal to identify factors associated with healthy dietary practices.MethodsThis is an explanatory mixed methods study. Quantitative data come from the endline survey of a cluster randomized controlled trial of a school and home garden intervention in Nepal. Data were analyzed from 332 and 317 schoolchildren (grades 4 and 5) in the control and treatment group, respectively. From the control group, PDs were identified as schoolchildren with a minimum dietary diversity score (DDS) ≥ 4 and coming from low wealth index households. From the treatment group, NDs were identified as schoolchildren with a DDS < 4 and coming from high wealth index households. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with PDs and NDs. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth phone interviews with nine pairs of parents and schoolchildren in each PD and ND group. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and integrated with quantitative data in the analysis.ResultsTwenty-three schoolchildren were identified as PDs, and 73 schoolchildren as NDs. Schoolchildren eating more frequently a day (AOR = 2.25; 95% CI:1.07–5.68) and whose parents had a higher agricultural knowledge level (AOR = 1.62; 95% CI:1.11–2.34) were more likely to be PDs. On the other hand, schoolchildren who consumed diverse types of vegetables (AOR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.38–0.81), whose parents had higher vegetable preference (AOR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.53–0.97) and bought food more often (AOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.56–0.88) were less likely to be NDs. Yet, schoolchildren from households with a grandmother (AOR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.03–3.81) were more likely to be NDs. Integrated results identified four themes that influenced schoolchildren’s DDS: the availability of diverse food, the involvement of children in meal preparation, parental procedural knowledge, and the grandmother’s presence.ConclusionHealthy dietary habit can be promoted among schoolchildren in Nepal by encouraging parents to involve their children in meal preparation and increasing the awareness of family members.