Impact of a Montessori‐Based Nutrition Program on Children's Knowledge and Eating Behaviors

Bibliographic Data

ID21354630
AuthorsNicole Vitale (0000-0002-9922-1924, Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Florida International University 11200 SW 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA), Catherine Coccia (0000-0002-8086-4479, Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Florida International University 11200 SW 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume93
Issue1
Pages53-61
Publication date2023-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of School Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4391 • E-ISSN: 1746-1561
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josh.13237
PMID35869569
OpenAlexW4286670419
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited38

BACKGROUND: Poor dietary habits in childhood can lead to obesity and chronic diseases later in life. Increasing children's nutrition knowledge and liking of fruits and vegetables are key factors in improving diet quality. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a nutrition program on knowledge, liking and intake of fruits and vegetables in Montessori students. METHODS: Clustered-randomized control trial conducted in a Southeastern US Montessori school. Children aged 4-6 years old (intervention, n = 22; control, n = 29) participated in a 4-week nutrition education with taste testing of 12 fruits and vegetables. Nutrition knowledge, fruit and vegetable liking, and intake were measured with questionnaires, and analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariance and descriptive analyses (SPSS v.23); significance defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Controlling for covariates, significant between group effects for nutrition knowledge (F = 24.16, p < 0.001) and liking tomatoes (F = 7.01, p = 0.01) were found. The intervention group increased vegetable intake (Hedges' g = 1.01) compared to the control, although it was not significant between groups (F = 1.95, p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Initial examination of this program indicates that it was effective in increasing knowledge, vegetable liking and intake for young children in the sample. More research is needed to compare outcomes between educational delivery methods.

Childhood obesity · Descriptive statistics · Environmental health · Healthy eating · Intervention (counseling) · Knowledge level · Nutrition Education · Obesity · Overweight · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Diverse Education Studies and Reforms · Education Methods and Practices · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Gerontology

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