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Fruit and vegetable intakes in relation to behavioral outcomes associated with a nutrition education intervention in preschoolers
This 2018 study looked at nutritional education particularly focused on eating fruits and vegetables and explored whether they can affect preschoolers’ intake of fruits and vegetables, as well as some behavioral aspects. Thirty-five preschoolers (aged 4-6 years) living in Seoul, South Korea signed up to an 8-week nutrition education intervention program. The kids’ consumption levels of fruits and vegetables were reported before and after the intervention. During snack time of the weekly sessions, fresh fruit and vegetable snacks were given to each child by the teachers. The study measured how much of the snacks were left uneaten by each child. Behavioral outcomes were measured by applying Child behavior checklist 1.5-5 and the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Following the intervention, average vegetable intake increased from 36 grams to 48 grams. According to the parents, there were also reductions in the level of problems, anxiety and depression, aggressive behavior, internalizing, and externalizing. Moreover, the teachers reported lower child anxiety scores post-intervention. In conclusion, educating preschoolers about fruit and vegetable consumption had a positive impact on their intake of vegetables, as well as on their emotional and behavioral outcomes. [NPID: fruits and vegetables, diet, nutrition, children, behavior, intervention, nutritional education, South Korea, depression, anxiety]
Year: 2018
