142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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SuperFood HEROES: The impact of a school-based vegetable taste testing program on elementary school students' taste preferences

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014

Alyssa M. Lederer, MPH, CHES , Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Mindy Hightower King, PhD , Center on Education and Lifelong Learning, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Devan K. Petersen , Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Background:Children’s fruit and vegetable consumption is vastly below recommended levels, with children reporting even less preference for vegetables. In addition to related health consequences, this also poses a problem for schools, which have experienced substantial food waste after implementing the 2012 revised USDA standards for school lunches. Experts have recommended that programs be employed to improve children’s vegetable preferences, but a dearth of evidence exists on how to effectively do so.

Purpose:This study details the development and results of SuperFood HEROES, a data-driven vegetable taste-testing intervention that was piloted in two elementary schools in southern Indiana.

Significance:This study fills an important gap in the literature and will inform school health professionals and researchers on how to replicate an effective intervention.

Methods:A taste testing program and educational curriculum were developed for four vegetables—sweet potatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, and cauliflower—that fourth and fifth grade students (N=77) were exposed to in their classrooms for an entire academic year. Pre- and post-test structured interviews were completed to determine the change in students’ recognition, familiarity, preference, consumption, and normative beliefs for each vegetable. At post-test, children’s experiences with the program were also assessed.

Results:SuperFood HEROES successfully increased students’ familiarity, preference, and consumption of most vegetables. There was a high level of participation, students reported enjoying the program, and teachers found it feasible to implement.

Conclusions/Recommendations: Interventions such as SuperFood HEROES can improve children’s taste preferences for vegetables. Recommendations for implementing this type of program will be provided.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the rationale for a vegetable taste testing program for elementary school students. Describe evidence-based practices for a vegetable taste testing program for elementary school students. Discuss ways in which a vegetable taste testing program for elementary school students is able to impact children’s taste preferences.

Keyword(s): Children and Adolescents, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the research coordinator for SuperFood HEROES and led the program development, implementation, and analysis efforts. I am also currently working towards my PhD in Health Behavior at Indiana University's School of Public Health-Bloomington.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3317.0: Nutrition in Schools