The Impact of a Fruit and Vegetable Intervention on Children and Caregivers

Abstract

Background: Fruit and vegetable consumption is important; however, intake remains low among children. Simple, effective classroom-based interventions are needed. Purpose: To assess the impact of South Dakota Harvest of the Month (SD HOM) on child fruit and vegetable knowledge and consumption and to determine caregiver reach. Methods: Educators delivered 8 classroom-based nutrition education lessons, which included produce taste-testing. Cross-sectional assessment data were collected pre- and postintervention in over 1200 children and postintervention in caregivers (N = 142). Results: Program awareness and fruit and vegetable knowledge increased among children. Postintervention, children were less likely to be in the low fruit and vegetable consumption groups and more likely to be in the high consumption groups. Over 80% of caregivers who responded indicated they were aware of HOM and many (55%) used the handouts brought home. Caregivers indicated that children asked for more fruits and vegetables (72.7%) and seemed more willing to taste or eat them (83.5%). Discussion: Utilizing fewer components than other successful fruit and vegetable interventions, SD HOM positively influenced children's fruit and vegetable consumption and knowledge and reached their caregivers. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health educators are encouraged to access freely available SD HOM materials and implement the program as appropriate.

Funding

This project was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 1U58DP003510-01 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the South Dakota Department of Health. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.