Date of Award
8-1-2013
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Food and Nutrition
First Advisor
Smith, Sylvia
Second Advisor
Null, Dawn
Abstract
ABSTRACT TITLE: A study to examine the effects of a nutrition intervention on fruit and vegetable knowledge, behaviors, and intake among fourth grade children Childhood obesity is rising at a dramatic rate. Other research shows that nutrition education can have an impact of weight status, fruit and vegetable consumption, and nutrition knowledge. The purpose of this study is to determine how nutrition education affects children's fruit and vegetable knowledge, asking behaviors, intake, and awareness of healthy and unhealthy foods. Results of this study will be pertinent to teachers and schools in similar geographical locations. This study utilized pre- and post-test experimental design. Twenty-two children participated in the study with 17 in the experimental group and five in the control. Children in the experimental group received of nutrition education one time per week for four weeks, while the control did not receive any. Findings indicate that children receiving nutrition education significantly increased their fruit and vegetable knowledge. Other results from the study showed no significant changes in fruit and vegetable consumption, ability to correctly identify "Go", "Slow", and "Whoa" foods or asking behavior in children that received nutrition education. Although further research is needed, the results of this study show that though knowledge improved, consumption did not increase.
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