Feasibility and acceptability of a gardening-based nutrition education program in preschoolers from low-income, minority populations

Abstract

Garden-based lessons are gaining popularity as a means of increasing fruit and vegetable intake among children. The study objective was to pilot test a garden-based preschool curriculum for feasibility and acceptability in Harris County Department of Education Head Start using qualitative and quantitative methods. A total of 103, 3-to 5-year-old children at two Head Start centers in Harris County, Texas participated. PLANT Gardens (Preschoolers Learn About Nutrition Through Gardens), a theoretically grounded, teacher-led, garden-based nutrition education program for preschoolers was implemented over 8 weeks in spring 2008. Heights and weights were measured on participating children. Data regarding program feasibility and acceptability were obtained through post-intervention focus groups with teachers and parents, weekly lesson plan evaluation forms completed by project staff, and post intervention teacher surveys. Pre−post self-reported parent surveys were used to evaluate the effects of the program on their preschooler's fruit and vegetable preferences and willingness. The results showed that, overall, 28.4 percent of the Head Start preschooler's population were overweight or obese, yet only 3 percent of parents perceived their preschooler as overweight. This pilot test revealed strong acceptability and feasibility of the PLANT Gardens program in this Head Start population. Results of the parent surveys (n= 25) indicated a significant increase in their preschooler's willingness to try new fruits and vegetables (67% at baseline vs 84% post-intervention; p = 0.026). Data were used to further refine the program components. In conclusion, the PLANT Gardens program showed good initial feasibility and acceptability and is a promising program to increase preference and intake of fruits and vegetables in a preschool population. Further evaluation of behavioral outcomes using a larger sample size and a prospective design is needed.

Garden-based interventions and early childhood health: an umbrella review

“…For example, several systematic reviews focused on children, but failed to have critical early childhood search terms necessary to yield relevant studies. In fact, there are several published studies on the effect of garden-based interventions in early childhood that were not included in any included review [ 26 , 89 ]. There are also several ongoing garden-based interventions with forthcoming results, including a randomized control trial testing the effectiveness of a community-based agricultural intervention [ 90 ] and another cluster randomized control trial examining effects of a garden-based early care and education center intervention [ 91 ].…”

Perceived Barriers to Fruit and Vegetable Gardens in Early Years Settings in England: Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey of Nurseries

“…A handful of prior gardening interventions have been conducted in ECE settings [48][49][50]. One observed a modest increase in vegetable but not fruit intake in children [48], another found the intervention itself to be well received but did not measure dietary intake [51], and a third did not find any improvement in child fruit and vegetable intake [49]. These prior studies were limited, however, by a small sample size, lack of a control or comparison group, or self-reported outcomes [32,[50][51][52].…”

“…One observed a modest increase in vegetable but not fruit intake in children [48], another found the intervention itself to be well received but did not measure dietary intake [51], and a third did not find any improvement in child fruit and vegetable intake [49]. These prior studies were limited, however, by a small sample size, lack of a control or comparison group, or self-reported outcomes [32,[50][51][52]. Larger intervention studies with more robust study designs and rigorous outcome measures are needed to fully assess the potential impact of fruit and vegetable gardens in ECE.…”

Evaluation The Effect of Gardening Intervention On nutritious foods Consumption of Children and adolescent : A systematic Review

“…In this case the role of the nurse is indispensable Particularly the role of community health nurse. Community nurse has role in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in helping communities or families to identify the needs of the family that related to consumption of fruit and vegetables [16]. At the level of primary care nurse can implement health education intervention, one of them is to do gardening intervention, the nurse should certainly also collaborate with various element, such as parents, teachers, community leaders and etc.…”