RESEARCH

The Effects of Horticultural Activity Program on Vegetable Preference of Elementary School Students

Regarding the results specifically, children’s vegetable preference scores significantly improved from a mean of 88.58 ± 23.52 before the program to 97.58 ± 23.04 after, with a statistical significance of p < 0.001. For primary caretakers, nutrition knowledge scores significantly increased from a mean of 11.57 ± 2.60 at baseline to 12.19 ± 2.84 after the program, which was statistically significant at p < 0.01.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Children/Youth, Caregivers/Healthcare Professionals

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Cognitive Function, Better Nutritional Awareness, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Increased Horticultural Knowledge, Increased Self-Efficacy

Allied Profession Intersections: Education

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care, Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Meal/Diet-Based Activities, Greenhouse/Nursery Production

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This study employed a quasi-experimental design to investigate the effects of an integrated horticultural activity program on the vegetable preference and eating behavior of elementary school students and their primary caretakers in Seoul, South Korea. A total of 136 students from third and fifth grades and 136 primary caretakers from J Elementary School participated. The program consisted of 12 weekly sessions, each 80 minutes long, over 12 weeks, combining gardening, nutrition education, and cooking activities using harvests. The intervention was designed based on a mediating variable model and social cognitive theory, aiming to influence factors like knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and willingness to taste. Assessments were conducted before and after the program using questionnaires to measure various mediating factors related to eating behavior in both children and primary caretakers.

Overall, the program was found to be effective in improving several factors related to eating behavior. Children showed significant improvements in gardening knowledge, nutrition knowledge, dietary self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and vegetable preference. Although the overall children’s nutrition index did not change significantly, specific sub-items related to avoiding unhealthy foods (“resection”) lowered significantly, while behaviors like checking nutrition labels and handwashing (“practice”) improved significantly. Primary caretakers also demonstrated significant improvements in their nutrition index, nutrition attitude, and nutrition knowledge. High satisfaction levels were reported by students, teachers, and primary caretakers. However, the program did not significantly impact children’s food neophobia or primary caretakers’ overall eating habits.

Link

Kim, HR., Kim, S.O., & Park, S.A. (2021). The effects of horticultural activity program on vegetable preference of elementary school students. Int J Environ Res Public Health., 18(15), 8100

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