Examining Elementary School Children’s Knowledge about Food and Nutrition in Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Purpose: Knowledge is fundamental to helping children make nutritional choices that support lifelong healthy behaviours. This study (i) investigates elementary school children’s knowledge about food and nutrition and (ii) identifies sociodemographic factors influencing children’s reported knowledge. Methods: In 2017–2019, a survey was administered to 2443 students (grades 5–8) at 60 schools across southwestern Ontario, Canada, and a parent survey was used to validate self-reported sociodemographics. Multiple regression was used to analyse children’s knowledge scores and related sociodemographic factors. A total knowledge score was calculated by summing correct responses derived from 46 individual questions in the student survey. Results: Mean total knowledge score was 29.2 out of a possible 46 points (63.5% correct). Students demonstrated some knowledge and awareness of strategies to encourage fruit and vegetable consumption, healthy food selection, nutrition, and food preparation skills, although knowledge of food guide recommendations and locally sourced produce were limited. Female sex, family income, and rurality were associated with higher knowledge scores. Conclusions: Results provide insight regarding strengths and gaps in elementary-school children’s food and nutrition knowledge. Poor performance of students on specific food guide-related questions suggests that the general guidance of the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide might be better understood by children and adolescents.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake Is Associated with Food Knowledge among Children Aged 9–14 Years in Southwestern Ontario, Canada

“…This study describes the intake of FV, and factors associated with higher intake of FV, among a large sample of children in Southwestern Ontario (SWO), Canada. Our results show that the proportions of children who report consumption of ≥5 servings of FVs per day is lower than the national recommendations, and the mean total food knowledge reported by our sample is also quite low at 63.5% [ 31 ]. Results further indicate that a higher knowledge score significantly predict a higher reported intake of FVs, and the reported intake of FVs decreases as children became older.…”

“…The total food knowledge scores reported by our sample were quite low with an average score of 63.5% (29.2 points out of 46) [ 31 ]. Further analyses indicated that, when the influence of urbanicity /rural location, parental education attainment and household income on FV intake was adjusted for, a higher knowledge score significantly predicted a higher reported intake of FVs.…”

“…This study presents some interesting null findings: gender, ethnicity, mean family income, parental education level, and urban/rural location did not significantly influence the reported intake of FV. A previous in-depth analysis of the food knowledge characteristics of this sample revealed an association between urban/rural settings and food knowledge: participants living in small town and rural settings had higher food and nutrition knowledge scores [ 31 ]. However, it would appear that food knowledge is a stronger predictor of FV intake that urban versus rural place of dwelling.…”

“…(2–8 servings); “Which of the following FV are grown in Ontario? E.g., Apples (True, False)” [ 31 ]. The maximum possible score a child could achieve was 46, and the minimum was 0.…”

“…All remaining questions that were not responded to were considered ‘I don’t know’ and as a result marked incorrect. A detailed analysis of these questions was carried out as part of another study [ 31 ].…”