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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Rebecca M. Schermbeck, RD, LD¹, Marilyn S. Nanney, PhD, MPH, RD², Amanda S. Harrod, MPH¹, Michael B. Elliott, PhD¹, and Debra Haire-Joshu, PhD³. (1) School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, Obesity Prevention Center, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104, 3149778202, schermrm@slu.edu, (2) Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Utah, 1901 E. So Campus Drive, Office Annex - 2115, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, (3) Department of Community Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, MO 63104

This abstract utilizes data from High 5 for Kids, a community based dietary change program for parents and their children who reside in rural Missouri. Parents (n=1658) were primarily young (MN age 29±7) and white (82%) with 42% reporting annual household incomes under $25,000. Children were between 2-5 years of age and gender was evenly distributed (52% male). Fruit and vegetable (FV) classifications were based on the national “5 a Day the Color Way” health campaign. Baseline FV consumption by color showed 16% of children consumed three or less FV colors, 34% consumed four, and 50% consumed five FV colors. Eighteen percent, 42% and 40% of parents consumed three or less FV colors, four FV colors, or five FV colors, respectively. Most children (96%) consumed white FV (excluding French fries) while most parents (96%) consumed green FV. Fewer participants (60% children, 49% parents) reported consuming purple FV. Child FV preference (p<.001) and food shopping frequency (p<.001) were positively associated with colorful FV consumption. Fast food consumption (p<.005) was negatively associated with colorful FV consumption. Personal factors (taste, preparation skill, and purchasing habit) significantly influence colorful FV consumption (p<.001) while community factors (price, availability/access) do not. Interventions should emphasis personal factors to promote colorful FV consumption.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to describe colorful fruit and vegetable consumption patterns and identify personal and community factors that influence these consumption patterns among parents and their children in rural Missouri.

Keywords: Food and Nutrition,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered