BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore how the home food environment and parental attitudes and values affect children's fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake. METHODS: The sample consists of 2383 children with a mean age of 8.3 years (95% CI 8.2 to 8.3) attending 52 primary schools in London. These children are taking part in two randomised controlled trials to evaluate a school gardening programme. Diet was assessed using a validated 24-h food tick list, the Child And Diet Evaluation Tool (CADET). RESULTS: The CADET tool found that children consumed on average 293 g F&V (95% CI 287 to 303) per day. Clustered (by school) multilevel regression models with total F&V as the primary outcome were conducted to explore how the home environment affects children's F&V intake. Children of families who reported 'always' eating a family meal together at a table had 125 g (95% CI 92 to 157; p=<0.001) more F&V than families who never ate a meal together. Daily consumption of F&V by parents was associated with higher F&V (88 g, 95% CI 37 to 138) intake in children compared with rarely/never consumption of F&V by parents. Cutting up fruit and vegetables for children was associated with higher consumption. Families who reported always cutting up F&V for their children had 44 g (95% CI 18 to 71) more F&V than families who never cut up F&V. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified that cutting up F&V and family consumption of F&V facilitates children's intake. Eating a family meal together regularly could increase children's F&V intake and help them achieve the recommended intake. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN11396528.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore how the home food environment and parental attitudes and values affect children's fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake. METHODS: The sample consists of 2383 children with a mean age of 8.3 years (95% CI 8.2 to 8.3) attending 52 primary schools in London. These children are taking part in two randomised controlled trials to evaluate a school gardening programme. Diet was assessed using a validated 24-h food tick list, the Child And Diet Evaluation Tool (CADET). RESULTS: The CADET tool found that children consumed on average 293 g F&V (95% CI 287 to 303) per day. Clustered (by school) multilevel regression models with total F&V as the primary outcome were conducted to explore how the home environment affects children's F&V intake. Children of families who reported 'always' eating a family meal together at a table had 125 g (95% CI 92 to 157; p=<0.001) more F&V than families who never ate a meal together. Daily consumption of F&V by parents was associated with higher F&V (88 g, 95% CI 37 to 138) intake in children compared with rarely/never consumption of F&V by parents. Cutting up fruit and vegetables for children was associated with higher consumption. Families who reported always cutting up F&V for their children had 44 g (95% CI 18 to 71) more F&V than families who never cut up F&V. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified that cutting up F&V and family consumption of F&V facilitates children's intake. Eating a family meal together regularly could increase children's F&V intake and help them achieve the recommended intake. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN11396528.
Authors: Amanda C Trofholz; Allan D Tate; Michelle L Draxten; Seth S Rowley; Anna K Schulte; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer; Richard F MacLehose; Jerica M Berge Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet Date: 2016-09-22 Impact factor: 4.910
Authors: Jerica M Berge; Kimberly P Truesdale; Nancy E Sherwood; Nathan Mitchell; William J Heerman; Shari Barkin; Donna Matheson; Carolyn E Levers-Landis; Simone A French Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2017-09-14 Impact factor: 4.022