Sónia Gonçalves1, Rita Ferreira1, Eva M Conceição1, Cátia Silva1, Paulo P P Machado1, Emma Boyland2, Ana Vaz3. 1. Psychotherapy and Psychopathology Research Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. 2. Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom. 3. Psychotherapy and Psychopathology Research Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. Electronic address: anavaz@psi.uminho.pt.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study explored whether a cartoon show with healthy eating messages positively affected children's food choices and food preferences. DESIGN: Experimental between-subjects design. SETTING: Four elementary schools in Portugal were investigated. PARTICIPANTS: Children (aged 4-8 years; n = 142) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: a comparison group (n = 73) was exposed to cartoons with no reference to food and an intervention group (n = 69) was exposed to cartoons with healthy eating messages. After viewing, each child was given the opportunity to eat ad libitum for 10 minutes from a small selection of snack foods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Number of healthy and unhealthy food items chosen. Food preferences were measured using an adapted version of the Leeds Food Preference Checklist. ANALYSIS: Generalized linear models were used to test for differences between groups. Results were considered significant at P ≤ .05. RESULTS: Children in the experimental group chose significantly more healthy food items than did those in the comparison group (B = -.600; SE = .19; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Future studies may address the effect of prolonged exposure to healthy eating cartoons. Cartoons can be used to promote healthy food choices and can be a part of health promotion campaigns.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: This study explored whether a cartoon show with healthy eating messages positively affected children's food choices and food preferences. DESIGN: Experimental between-subjects design. SETTING: Four elementary schools in Portugal were investigated. PARTICIPANTS: Children (aged 4-8 years; n = 142) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: a comparison group (n = 73) was exposed to cartoons with no reference to food and an intervention group (n = 69) was exposed to cartoons with healthy eating messages. After viewing, each child was given the opportunity to eat ad libitum for 10 minutes from a small selection of snack foods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Number of healthy and unhealthy food items chosen. Food preferences were measured using an adapted version of the Leeds Food Preference Checklist. ANALYSIS: Generalized linear models were used to test for differences between groups. Results were considered significant at P ≤ .05. RESULTS:Children in the experimental group chose significantly more healthy food items than did those in the comparison group (B = -.600; SE = .19; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Future studies may address the effect of prolonged exposure to healthy eating cartoons. Cartoons can be used to promote healthy food choices and can be a part of health promotion campaigns.
Authors: Rebecca K Hodder; Kate M O'Brien; Fiona G Stacey; Flora Tzelepis; Rebecca J Wyse; Kate M Bartlem; Rachel Sutherland; Erica L James; Courtney Barnes; Luke Wolfenden Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2019-11-07
Authors: Victoria Villegas-Navas; Maria-Jose Montero-Simo; Rafael A Araque-Padilla Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-12-10 Impact factor: 3.390