Fruit and vegetable intakes in relation to behavioral outcomes associated with a nutrition education intervention in preschoolers

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESAlthough a lot of effort has been put into increasing fruit and vegetable intakes in preschool children, vegetable intake in this group is still low. This study investigated whether nutrition education focusing on fruit and vegetable intakes can affect preschoolers' fruit and vegetable intakes as well as their behavioral outcomes.SUBJECTS/METHODSThirty-five preschoolers (54.3% boys, n = 19) aged 4–6 years residing in Seoul underwent weekly nutrition education intervention (8 sessions) between May and July 2016. Intakes of fruits and vegetables were measured during pre and post-intervention. At snack time, fresh fruit (150 g) and vegetable (120 g) snacks were distributed to each child by teachers. The remaining portions of the snacks were weighed and recorded for each child. Behavioral outcomes were measured by applying Child behavior checklist 1.5–5 and the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.RESULTSDuring post intervention, vegetable intake increased from 36.15 ± 30.64 g to 48.01 ± 31.23 g (P = 0.010). Among the emotional and behavioral problems measured by parents, levels of total problems (P = 0.001), internalizing (P = 0.004), externalizing (P = 0.003), anxiety and depression (P = 0.001), and aggressive behavior (P = 0.005) decreased. Anxiety (P = 0.026) score, as measured by teachers, also decreased.CONCLUSIONSNutrition education of preschoolers regarding the intakes of fruits and vegetables had a positive effect on preschoolers' vegetable intake as well as on their emotional and behavioral outcomes. A long-term, large-scale study with a broader study design is warranted to further investigate the role of fruit and vegetable intake in cognitive development and behavior of preschoolers.

Effectiveness of Teacher-Led Nutritional Lessons in Altering Dietary Habits and Nutritional Status in Preschool Children: Adoption of a NASA Mission X-Based Program

“…Several nutrition education programs have reduced unhealthy dietary behaviors in young children in Korea [12,13,14]. Improvements in the nutrition knowledge score [12], nutritional status balance, and regular diet with a higher frequency of consumption of white milk [13] were shown after the nutritional education.…”

“…Furthermore, vegetables & fruits (V/F) consumption and healthy eating behaviors were higher in the education group than in the control group. Another previous study reported an improvement of fruit and vegetable intakes as well as preschool children’s emotional and behavioral outcomes after nutrition education [14]. Therefore, school-based nutritional education needs to be considered in ECES.…”

Pola Asuh Autoritatif dan Kebiasaan Makan Anak Prasekolah

“…Pada masa ini, pertumbuhan dan perkembangan anak terus berlangsung. Aspek penting dalam perkembangan anak adalah kebiasaan makan (Santrock, 2016) dengan mengkonsumi makanan bergizi seimbang karena dapat mempengaruhi kehidupan selanjutnya (Choi et al, 2018). Namun, umumnya pada masa ini anak memiliki masalah kesehatan.…”

“…Dampak positif yang didapatkan dengan mengkonsumsi buah dan sayuran telah banyak dilaporkan bahwa berdampak bagi kesehatan mental anak-anak hingga dewasa (Choi et al, 2018). Hal ini disebabkan karena buah dan sayuran mengandung banyak unsur gabungan dari beragam vitamin, mineral, maupun antioksidan yang sangat dibutuhkan anak pada pada masa pertumbuhan dan perkembangan (Bean, 2007).…”

The Effect of Training Mothers on Modifying the Meal Boxes of their Preschoolers with Vegetables and Fruits in the Sub-district of Tangerang, Tangerang City, Banten Province

“…The data from the research conducted by Paboyo (2012) showed that only 29.6% of preschoolers in Canada consume fruits and vegetables which in accordance with food guidelines in Canada. In the United States of America, at 2014, 31.5% of preschoolers consumed vegetables and fruits less than the recommendation of adequacy while 80.3% consume less vegetable (Krebs, 2010 in Harnack, et al, 2012, D. Upton, 2012, Kirsten, 2014, Eun. 2018.…”