scholarly journals The impact of a school-based nutrition education intervention on dietary intake and cognitive and attitudinal variables relating to fruits and vegetables

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 650-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
AS Anderson ◽  
LEG Porteous ◽  
E Foster ◽  
C Higgins ◽  
M Stead ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of a school-based nutrition education intervention aimed at increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables.DesignThe intervention programme increased the provision of fruits and vegetables in schools and provided a range of point-of-purchase marketing materials, newsletters for children and parents, and teacher information. Curriculum materials at age 6–7 and 10–11 years were also developed and utilised. Evaluation was undertaken with groups of younger (aged 6–7 years) and older (aged 10–11 years) children. Methods included 3-day dietary records with interview and cognitive and attitudinal measures at baseline, with follow-up at 9 months, in intervention and control schools.SettingThe work was undertaken in primary schools in Dundee, Scotland.SubjectsSubjects comprised 511 children in two intervention schools with a further 464 children from two schools acting as controls.ResultsChildren (n = 64) in the intervention schools had an average increase in fruit intake (133±1.9 to 183±17.0 g day-1) that was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than the increase (100±11.7 to 107±14.2 g day-1) estimated in children (n = 65) in control schools. No other changes in food or nutrient intake were detected. Increases in scores for variables relating to knowledge about fruits and vegetables and subjective norms were also greater in the intervention than in the control group, although taste preferences for fruits and vegetables were unchanged.ConclusionsIt is concluded that a whole school approach to increasing intakes of fruits and vegetables has a modest but significant effect on cognitive and attitudinal variables and on fruit intake.

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2965
Author(s):  
Aydin Nazmi ◽  
Marilyn Tseng ◽  
Derrick Robinson ◽  
Dawn Neill ◽  
John Walker

The ability to classify foods based on level of processing, not only conventional MyPlate food groups, might be a useful tool for consumers faced with a wide array of highly processed food products of varying nutritional value. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a proof-of-concept nutrition education intervention on nutrition knowledge, assessed by correct classification of foods according to MyPlate food groups, MyPlate ‘limit’ status (for fat, sugar, sodium), and level of processing (NOVA categories). We utilized a randomized, controlled design to examine the impact of a MyPlate vs. combined MyPlate + NOVA intervention vs. control group. Intervention groups received educational flyers via email and participants were assessed using electronic baseline and follow-up surveys. The MyPlate + NOVA intervention group performed at least as well as the MyPlate group on classifying conventional food groups and ‘limit’ status. Moreover, the MyPlate + NOVA group far outperformed the other groups on classifying NOVA categories. Longer-term trials are needed, but our results suggest that NOVA principles may be more easily understood and applied than those of MyPlate. Education strategies focusing on level of food processing may be effective in the context of the modern food environment.


2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 779-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mousa Salehi ◽  
S. M. Kimiagar ◽  
M. Shahbazi ◽  
Y. Mehrabi ◽  
A. A. Kolahi

In order to teach suitable feeding and hygiene practices to a group of randomly selected Qashqa'i tribe families with 406 children aged 0–59 months, a culturally appropriate community-based education intervention approach was used. To assess the impact of the intervention on the study group, another group of families with 405 children were randomly selected to serve as the controls. At the beginning of the intervention programme both groups of children had access to a similar diet, consisting of cereals, beans, oil, sugar, milk and yoghurt. Baseline data, age, gender, weight, height and mean arm circumference (MAC), were obtained before the intervention. Using Hubley's behavioural change model, the components of which deal with beliefs, attitudes, subjective norms and enabling factors, the research team studied the behaviour of the family members and tried to change their nutritional behaviour. This was achieved by designing a suitable education programme to be carried out for 12 months. During the programme, families were instructed to follow different methods of food preparation and cooking practices. The final data were collected 3 months after the end of the intervention programme. The results indicated that the children in the study group gained: 1·16 (SD 1·2) kg body weight, 0·033 (SD 0·05) m in height, 0·0067 (SD 0·015) m in MAC, 0·8 (SD 1) in weight-for-age Z-score, 0·97 (SD 1·7) in height-for-age Z-score and 0·28 (SD 1·8) in weight-for-height Z-score by the end of the study. The corresponding values for the control group were 0·42 (SD 1·0), 0·0167 (SD 0·047), 0·0017 (SD 0·012), 0·35 (SD 1·1), 0·56 (SD 1·5) and 0·014 (SD 1·6) respectively and the differences were statistically significant (P<0·05). These findings suggest that educational interventions involving parents and/or other family members who might play a role in the care behaviour and care resources are important in feeding the children energy- and protein-enriched, hygienic, simple and cheap foods. Such practices could improve child growth even under conditions of poverty.


2002 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannis Manios ◽  
Joanna Moschandreas ◽  
Christos Hatzis ◽  
Anthony Kafatos

The effectiveness of a health and nutrition education programme, in changing certain chronic disease risk factors, was assessed after the 6 years intervention period was completed. The school-based intervention programme was applied to all children registered in the first grade (age 5·5–6·5 years) in 1992 in two counties of Crete, while the children from a third county served as a control group. In order to assess the effectiveness of the intervention, a variety of biological and behavioural parameters were measured before and following completion of the intervention in a randomly selected school-based sample of 602 intervention group (IG) and 444 control group (CG) pupils. At the end of the 6-year period, it was found that biochemical indices generally improved significantly more in the IG compared with the CG (mean change for IGv.CG was -0·27v.-0·12 mmol/l for total cholesterol (TC); -0·07v.+0·24 for TC:HDL and -0·13v.+0·14 for LDL:HDL). Similarly, the changes observed in the anthropometric variables in the two groups were in favour of the IG (+3·68v.+4·28 kg/m2for BMI; +2·97v.+4·47 mm for biceps skinfold). Total energy intake and consumption of total fat and saturated fat increased significantly less in the IG compared with the CG (+747·7v.1534·7 kJ (+178·7v.+366·8 kcal); +5·9v.+18·8 g and +0·8v.+5·1 g respectively), while time devoted to leisure time physical activity and cardiovascular run test performance increased significantly more in the IG (+281v.+174 min/week and +2·5v.+1·2 stages respectively). The findings of the present study underline the importance of such programmes in health promotion and disease prevention. Although the long-term effects of these programmes can only be assessed by tracking this population through to adolescence and adulthood, these programmes seem to have the potential to lead to a healthier lifestyle and thus a reduction in risk factor levels.


1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie S. Anderson ◽  
David N. Cox ◽  
Susan McKellar ◽  
Joanna Reynolds ◽  
M. E. J. Lean ◽  
...  

To assess the response of low consumers of fruit and vegetables to a nutrition education intervention programme, data were collected from 104 adults on attitudinal variables related to ‘eating more fruit, vegetables and vegetable dishes’. Questionnaires (based on the theory of planned behaviour) assessing perceived barriers to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption were administered before an action-orientated intervention programme and at the end of the intervention period (8 weeks). Questionnaire scores for belief-evaluations in the intervention groups pre- and post-study indicated that support of family and friends, food costs, time constraints and shopping practicalities (in order to increase intake of fruit, vegetable and vegetable dishes) were barriers to greater consumption of these foodstuffs. Perceived situational barriers to increasing intakes of fruits and vegetables were: limited availability of vegetables, salads and fruit at work canteens, take-aways, friends' houses and at work generally. Following the intervention the number of visits to the shops was perceived as a greater barrier for increasing intakes of fruit and vegetables. Perceived practical opportunities for increasing intakes highlighted drinking fruit juice, taking fruit as a dessert, having fruit as a between-meal snack and eating two portions of vegetables with a meal. About two-thirds of intervention subjects achieved the recommended fruit and vegetable target, but it is concluded that practical issues and situational barriers need to be addressed for the success of future public health campaigns.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 48-59
Author(s):  
Robyn M. Cafiero ◽  
Yeon Bai ◽  
Charles Feldman ◽  
Doreen Liou

Daily intake of fruits and vegetables provides the basis for healthy nutrition. Yet low consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) persists among school-aged children. Framed by the Social Cognitive Theory, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of nutrition lessons combined with an active choice intervention on children’s FV consumption. Using a quasi-experimental design, 89 second graders were assigned to groups. Students in the experimental group (n=46) received four nutrition lessons combined with nine active choice sessions, while those in the control group (n=43) received active choice sessions only. Responses to pre- and post-intervention surveys that inquired FV knowledge and consumption were compared within and between groups using independent and paired t-tests. Empowered by improved knowledge, self-efficacy and the positive environment created through nutrition lessons and active choice, the experimental group showed improvement in consumption behavior compared to the control group at post-intervention: bringing FV to school and finish eating (69.7 vs. 51.2, p=.05 for fruits; 43.5 vs. 39.5, p=.41 for vegetables); like choosing FV (84.8 vs. 65.1, p=.01); like to eat more FV (80.4 vs. 62.8, p=.16); FV are healthy (100 vs. 95.3, p=.14). The magnitude of improvement is small yet consistent in every aspect of outcome measures. Combining nutrition education with the active choice component showed potential for a larger impact on behavior change among study participants. Parental support and community involvement could enhance the effectiveness of nutrition education in schools.


2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
DK Yadav ◽  
N Gupta ◽  
N Shrestha ◽  
A Kumar ◽  
DK Bose

Introduction: Maternal and child mortality have declined significantly in Nepal to the extent that Nepal is on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child mortality. Similar improvements have not been seen in general nutrition status of them. Objective of this study was to evaluate a nutrition-education intervention designed to improve nutritional status (reduce stunting, wasting and underweight) of children. Materials and Methods: It was an intervention with separate sample pretest posttest design. Two groups of Village Development Committee (VDC) from Mahottari district were recruited as interventional and control areas. The intervention was a 12-months nutrition education program and comprised of twelve times with 2-3 hour nutrition lectures and discussion classless conducted by the Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs). Results: The Present study found that number of underweight children increased by 7.6% in control group while it decreased by 17.7% in intervention group from baseline to endline in both groups. So, intervention programme was able to decrease the number of underweight children significantly. Study shows that wasting status of children increased by 11.4% in control group from baseline to endline period. While in intervention group wasting status of children decreased by more than 5% from baseline to endline period. Conclusion: Nutrition education intervention was effective to reduce wasting and underweight but did not reduce the stunting status of children. Stunting reflects failure to receive adequate nutrition over a long period of time and is affected by recurrent and chronic illness. Findings suggested that nutrition programme of longer duration should be implemented to control the stunting status of children. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v34i3.10286   J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2014;34(3):181-187


Author(s):  
Haiquan Xu ◽  
Yanping Li ◽  
Xianwen Shang ◽  
Songming Du ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
...  

Childhood hypertension has increasingly become a public health problem globally. However, limited literature research examined the effect of comprehensive interventions including nutrition education and physical activity on blood pressure among children. A total of 6764 children aged 7–13 years were analyzed based on a multicenter randomized controlled trial for comprehensive interventions in 30 primary schools in China to evaluate the effects on blood pressure, which lasted for two semesters. The standards used for the diagnosis of high blood pressure were the cut-off points based on age and sex for Chinese children. Compared with the control group, the intervention effects were −0.5 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI): −1.1, 0; p = 0.064) for diastolic blood pressure and −0.9 mmHg (95% CI: −1.5, −0.3; p = 0.005) for systolic blood pressure. For the incidence of high blood pressure, the changes were −1.4% in the intervention group and 0.4% in the control group (1.8% difference between the two groups, p = 0.015) after trial. The school-based comprehensive interventions appeared to have moderate effects on high blood pressure prevention among children in China.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (21_suppl) ◽  
pp. 82-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolien Konijnenberg ◽  
Per Morten Fredriksen

Aims: To assess the effects of a large school-based physical activity intervention on children’s ability to resist distractions and maintain focus, known as executive control. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with seven intervention and two control primary schools. The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP) intervention consisted of 45 min of physical activity a day during school time for 6–8 months in addition to the regular weekly physical education lessons. A total of 1173 children, spanning from second grade (age 7 years) to sixth grade (age 12 years) were included in the analysis. Main outcome measures were executive control was measured at baseline and 1 year after using a modified Eriksen flanker task for the younger children (second and third grades) and a computerised Stroop task for the older children (fourth, fifth, and sixth grades). Results: Both the intervention and control group showed improvements in executive control after 1 year. However, the children in the intervention group did not improve their performance more than those in the control group. Conclusions: No positive effect of the physical activity intervention programme on children’s task performance was found, suggesting that the intervention did not affect children’s executive control.


10.37512/700 ◽  
2020 ◽  

Poor quality complementary foods contribute to undernutrition in children aged 6-23 months. Therefore, there is need to explore foods that will provide adequate nutrients for this age group. This study aimed at determining the impact of a sorghum-amaranth composite flour porridge on nutrient intake of children aged 6-23 months. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Kiandutu slum, Thika, Kenya. Children in the control group (CG), received a maize-sorghum flour while those in the treatment group (TG) received an amaranth-sorghum flour. The sample size per study group was 73 mother-child pairs. The children in the TG received Kcal 1000 worth of porridge/day while those in the CG received Kcal 266.8/day. Mothers of children in both groups were given nutrition education at baseline, and monthly, for six months. Food intake data was taken at baseline, then monthly for six months. Descriptive statistics were used to describe nutrient intake. Chi square and Mann Whitney U test were was used to compare the baseline characteristics of the two groups and their nutrient intake, respectively. At baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. On a monthly basis, nutrient intake in the TG was significantly higher for a majority of the nutrients than in the CG. The product can contribute to preventing under-nutrition in children aged 6-23 months.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document