Researchers at the George Washington (GW) University published the study in the January issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour. It is one of the first to show that participation in a hands-on food education program in elementary school may lead to sustained changes in dietary behaviour later in life.
“Kids who grow vegetables in a school garden and learn how to prepare meals seem to show a lasting desire for fresh, healthy food as young adults,” said lead author Christine St. Pierre, a PhD candidate and researcher at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. “The hope is that such programs could help teens and young adults make better food choices as they grow older.”
The GW research team conducted focus groups to ask current elementary students and those who had aged out of such programs about their program experiences, dietary habits and attitudes. They found that both current and former participants in the FRESHFARM FoodPrints program commonly said the program helped them enjoy fresh food and build fresh food preparation skills.
Older alumni of the program said they were more open to trying new foods and had more confidence in their ability to make informed food choices.
The researchers hope such programs can be one strategy to improve diet quality in young adults. According to the Dietary Guidelines, dietary intake of young adults falls short of the recommendations for good health. In addition, the CDC says nearly 42% of adults aged 20 and older have obesity and are at risk for a raft of serious health problems.
Programs that encourage healthy food habits like eating more fruits and vegetables can lead to better health outcomes throughout the life course, St. Pierre said.
St. Pierre cautions that participants in the focus groups may be motivated to emphasize positive experiences and that may bias the results. She says this study’s findings must be verified by additional research.
Visit: https://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(23)00533-X/fulltext.