The Effect of a Summer Garden Program on the Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Children

Fifty-six children were included in a study that evaluated the effectiveness of a garden program designed to teach health and nutrition to second through fi fth grade-level children. The specifi c objectives of the research project were to evaluate the effect of the program on nutritional knowledge of the benefi ts of eating fruit and vegetables, nutritional attitudes toward fruit and vegetables, and eating behaviors of children, specifi cally consumption of fruit and vegetables. Children’s nutritional knowledge was measured with an 11-question multiple-choice exam based on the educational activities performed. Children’s nutritional attitudes regarding fruit and vegetables were measured with a fruit and vegetable preference questionnaire, and children’s eating behaviors were evaluated with an interview question asking them what they ate for a snack that day. After participating in the nutritional program, children’s knowledge about the benefi ts of eating fruit and vegetables signifi cantly improved, but there were no signifi cant differences found in participants’ attitude scores toward fruit and vegetables. However, the participants did report eating healthier snacks after participation in the nutritional program.