Effect of a Horticultural Program with Nutrition Emphasis on Preschool Children to Promote Healthy Eating Habits

Abstract

A horticultural program with a hands-on gardening and nutrition emphasis was taught to determine the effect it had on promoting healthy eating habits of preschool children. Sixty preschool children aging 5 to 7 participated in this study. Children in the experimental group participated in a one-hour horticultural program that occurred twice a week for 4 months. Activity room and outside garden in the preschool were used for the horticultural program. The Food Preference Questionnaire (FPQ), the Dietary Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ), the Horticultural Program Evaluation (HPE), and demographic measures were obtained before and after the program. Children in the horticultural program had significantly more positive outcomes than those in the control group. Measurement of the FPQ was significantly different between two groups (P<0.0001). Among the FPQ subcategories, fruit and vegetable preferences did significantly increase over the course of the program for the experimental group, especially for the fruits and vegetables that children grew themselves during the program. Horticultural program made a statistically significant impact on differences in the DBQ scores between groups as well (P=0.005). Children in the experimental group had improved dietary behavior as compared to the control group. Positive outcomes were also noted in the HPE for the experimental group indicated by high preference of the program. In conclusion, the horticultural program with a gardening and nutrition emphasis was effective in preschool children to promote healthy eating habits by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Further research is needed to clarify long-term benefits of gardening-based nutrition education program for promoting healthy behaviors and preventing obesity and other negative impacts across childhood and throughout adolescence.