The effects of variety on the fruit and vegetable intake of pre-school aged children at snack time
Open Access
- Author:
- Sullivan, Erin Elizabeth
- Area of Honors:
- Nutritional Sciences
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Barbara Jean Rolls, Thesis Supervisor
Rebecca L Corwin, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- children
variety
fruit
vegetable
intake - Abstract:
- Background: Preschool children’s intake of fruits and vegetables is less than the recommended amounts. This study examines the effectiveness of strategically using variety to improve fruit and vegetable consumption in preschool children. As one of the first studies testing the effects of variety on children, it provides useful insight into whether providing children with a variety of fruit and vegetable options is an effective strategy to increase their intake of these foods. Objectives: This study examined whether increasing the variety of fruit and vegetables served simultaneously before a meal 1) increases fruit and vegetable selection 2) increases fruit and vegetable consumption Design: In this crossover study, 3-to-5-y-old children (n=61) were served an afternoon snack 2d/week for 4 weeks. At each snack period, the children were either served uniform-sized vegetable (cucumber, tomato, pepper or all 3 types) or fruit (apple, peach, pineapple) pieces. The children served themselves family-style and were able to take and eat as much as they wanted. Results: Both fruit and vegetable selection (P<0.0001) and intake (P<0.002) increased when the children were offered a variety as opposed to only one fruit or vegetable option. Children chose some pieces at 94% of snacks with variety at 70% of snacks without variety. Offering a variety significantly increased intake by 31±5 g (P<0.0002) and represented one sixth of the recommended daily amount. Conclusion: These findings suggest that increasing the variety of fruit and vegetables served at snack is an effective strategy to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in preschool children and thereby improve their intake of low-energy dense foods.