Nutrition education strategies to promote vegetable consumption in preschool children - the Veggies4myHeart Project.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nTo test the efficacy of three nutrition education strategies on the intake of different vegetables in preschool children.\n\n\nDESIGN\nThis is an experimental study conducted in four Portuguese preschools. The intervention consisted of 20-minutes educational sessions, once a week, for five weeks, with one of the following randomized educational strategies: Portuguese Food Wheel Guide (control), digital game, storybook, storybook and reward (stickers). All groups had repeated exposure to vegetables in all sessions. A pre- and post-test were conducted to determine vegetable intake and a 6-month follow-up was realized.\n\n\nSETTING\nPreschools of Leiria district, Portugal.\n\n\nPARTICIPANTS\nA sample of 162 children aged 3 to 6 years. All eligible children attending the preschools were invited to participate.\n\n\nRESULTS\nAll interventions tested were effective in increasing vegetable consumption both in the short and medium-term, without statistically significant differences, compared to the control group. Stickers were more effective in the short-term than in the medium term.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nThe nutritional education strategies associated with repeated exposure tested in this study were effective in promoting vegetable consumption in preschool children. The use of stickers may be a valid strategy to promote the consumption of vegetables less recognized by children.