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Flowers, Hearts, and Stars, Oh My!: Fruit and Vegetable Intake of Preschoolers
Author(s) -
Clay Kristen Leigh,
Colby Sarah,
Kavanagh Katie,
Spence Marsha
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.895.4
Subject(s) - medicine , colored , significant difference , psychological intervention , zoology , biology , materials science , psychiatry , composite material
Background Previous research has shown the potential of increasing fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake by incorporating the senses into interventions. However, little to no research has specifically looked at the impact that the use of the senses can have on intake of fruits and vegetables among preschool‐aged children. Purpose The objective was to evaluate an interactive and visually appealing snack activity on F&V intake of preschool‐aged children. Methods Two preschools in East Tennessee were selected to participate in the study. Prior to the start of the study, participants colored placemats that contained heart‐, star‐, and flower‐shapes. Parents were surveyed to establish the target F&V, which were determined to be cantaloupe and green peppers. The F&V were served three times each over a six‐week period. The control group received the fruit and vegetable cut into chunks and strips served on white paper plates. The intervention group received the F&V cut into hearts, stars, and flowers and served on the placemats that children colored at the beginning of the study. The F&V were weighed before and after each snack time. Results Preliminary results showed that the children in the intervention group (n=13) consumed more fruit than the control group (n=16) (31 g. (SD 22.26) vs. 21 g. (SD 18.769) (p<.001), respectively).However, there was not a significant difference in intake of the vegetable between groups. The control group is 85.7% African American, 7.1% white, and 7.1% identify as multiple races/ethnicities. The intervention group is 66.7% African American, 20% white, 6.7% Hispanic, and 6.7% identify as multiple races/ethnicities. Conclusion The early results for the fruit snack are promising; however, it seems that increasing the visual appeal and interaction with vegetables may not have had as great of an impact.