Veggiecation: a novel approach to improve vegetable consumption among school-aged children.

Children's general preference for sweeter foods and aversion to bitter vegetables is explained partly by fear of new food and social and cultural influences. Reluctance to eat new foods is related to unfavorable facial expressions and is often learned from the child's family, social circle, and culture. Researchers report that the fruit and vegetable consumption of children 6–12 years of age is associated with the accessibility and availability. School-based interventions that combine classroom curricula, parental, and nutrition service components show the greatest promise for fruit and vegetable promotion among children. Because studies indicate children's preference to fruit over vegetables when offered simultaneously, designing an effective program to improve children's vegetable intake continues to be a challenge for nutrition educators. New strategies and approaches are needed to encourage a balanced diet and overcome barriers to vegetable intake. Veggiecation is an innovative nutrition education and behavior change program that provides educators and nutrition providers the opportunity for children to learn about and taste new vegetables. The development of this program and the targets for intervention were informed by social marketing theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior