The Effect of School Gardens on Children's Attitudes and Related Behaviors Regarding Fruits and Vegetables
Researcher: Sarah Lineberger, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to broaden the scope of research on school gardens. It will look at the use of school gardens as a nutrition education tool. It will test the effects of school gardens on children's attitudes and related behaviors regarding fruits and vegetables.
Working Objectives of the Study:
o To explore ways school gardens can be used to teach nutrition.
o To test the effect gardens/gardening can have on food preferences, specifically of fruits and vegetables.
o To test the effect gardens/gardening can have on eating behavior, specifically consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Teaching Nutrition Through Gardens: There are many ways teachers can present nutrition education. School gardens may be one tool that can provide active hands-on activities in supportive environments. Through gardening, children can learn not only what they should eat but also obtain a greater appreciation for how their food is grown. Gardens can teach children a greater appreciation for food processes by observing growth, maintaining the plants and participating in harvest. They may also have the opportunity to practice preparing nutritious foods and to try new foods to expand their diets. Gardens are an excellent way to teach food safety and preparation. Children are often timid about eating new foods, but the excitement of eating something they produced in a class garden may over come questions and fears. The garden specifically targets fruits and vegetables thus complementing the "5 a Day" push. This study is based on the idea that nutritional education through school gardens, which increases knowledge about fruits and vegetables, could lead to better attitudes and could have a positive effect on fruit and vegetable consumption.
Testing Procedure: To measure the effect of school gardens on children's attitudes and related behaviors regarding fruits and vegetables students will be given identical tests before and after they garden in their classroom. The testing consists of a standardized fruits and vegetables preference test and 24 hour recall food journals. The preference test is a measurement tool that has been developed by Dr. Tom Baranowski, Professor of Behavioral Science, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The tool consists of a three part multiple choice test for food preferences. The first part consists of 10 fruit questions and 10 vegetable questions that attempt to determine if a child has eaten a particular fruit or vegetable and if they liked it or thought they would like it. The second part has 11 questions which gives them the chance to choose between two snack items. One item is a fruit or vegetable and the other is not. Three 24-hour recalls will also be obtained from each student during the first week of the study as a way to measure food consumption (behavior). This is a specific type of food diary that ask individuals to remember and record all of the food and beverages that they consumed the previous day. This study will have children record their food intake on worksheets. The initial tests will be accompanied by a biographical questionnaire to acquire details about the sample. The pretest and recall must be completed before work in the garden begins. Each school will receive a curriculum guide with lessons and activities that combine nutrition and horticulture. Teachers should use this guide while they garden throughout the semester to teach students nutrition and horticulture basics. Teachers will be expected to cover each of the ten lesson subjects. Completion of the activities is optional, but they are designed to complement the lessons. Hours spent in the garden will be requested to help in analyzing the results. Towards the end of the semester the same fruit and vegetable preference test will be administered and three more journals collected. Copies of the questionnaires and journals are attached.
Questions About the Study: Please contact the researcher, Sarah Lineberger, at 409-845-6628 with any questions concerning this study.Research abstract courtesy of Sarah Lineberger
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