College
College of Health Professions
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-04 07:41:00
Major
Nutrition/Dietetics
Honors Course
7760-499-002
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2021
Abstract
Background:
Thrive is an after-school program for urban low-income school-aged children that utilizes elements of the Coordinated Approach to Child Health evidence-based model to teach nutrition concepts.1 Unique to Thrive’s design is providing exposure to new fruits and vegetables through a weekly healthy treat made with fresh produce. This descriptive research investigated whether differences existed in fruit- and vegetable-related behavior between Thrive and non-Thrive groups.
Methods:
A caregiver questionnaire was administered at childcare sites with and without Thrive programs, asking caregivers to categorize fruit and vegetable requests at the store and during meals and snacks, along with fruit and vegetable consumption. Fifty-three caregivers completed the survey.
Results:
A greater percentage of children who were not participating in Thrive requested to buy fruits (79% vs 44%) and vegetables (46% vs 20%) at the store. For requests made at home, more children in Thrive requested produce daily during meals and snacks (40% vs 18% fruit, 16% vs 7% vegetables). Still, 40% of Thrive participants never requested vegetables at home. The types of foods children asked for varied, with Thrive participants requesting celery and onions (two vegetables included in lessons) more frequently than non-Thrive children (12% vs 8% celery, 12% vs 0% onion).
Conclusion:
This data suggests that the Thrive program may influence behavior, especially regarding daily fruit and vegetable requests by children enrolled. Thrive could improve by including strategies to teach self-efficacy with asking for fresh foods at the grocery store and requesting specific foods introduced in the program.
Research Sponsor
Christin Seher
First Reader
Kristen DeBois
Second Reader
Pei-Yang Liu
Honors Faculty Advisor
Christin Seher
Recommended Citation
Antalek, Melissa, "Requests for Fruits and Vegetables After Participating in an After-School Nutrition Education Program" (2021). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1320.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1320