Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Fruit and Vegetable Intake as Predictors of Head Start Teachers' Classroom Mealtime Behaviors

Authors

Katherine Halloran, University of Rhode Island
Kathleen S. Gorman, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Megan Fallon, University of Rhode Island
Alison Tovar, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

4-2018

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the association between nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and fruit/vegetable intake among Head Start teachers and their classroom mealtime behaviors (self-reported and observed).

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional design using observation and survey.

SETTING:

Sixteen Head Start centers across Rhode Island between September, 2014 and May, 2015.

PARTICIPANTS:

Teachers were e-mailed about the study by directors and were recruited during on-site visits. A total of 85 participants enrolled through phone/e-mail (19%) or in person (81%).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Independent variables were nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and fruit/vegetable intake. The dependent variable was classroom mealtime behaviors (self-reported and observed).

ANALYSIS:

Regression analyses conducted on teacher mealtime behavior were examined separately for observation and self-report, with knowledge, attitudes, and fruit and vegetable intake as independent variables entered into the models, controlling for covariates.

RESULTS:

Nutrition attitudes were positively associated with teacher self-reported classroom mealtime behavior total score. Neither teacher nutrition knowledge nor fruit/vegetable intake was associated with observed or self-reported classroom mealtime behavior total scores.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS:

There was limited support for associations among teacher knowledge, attitudes, and fruit/vegetable intake, and teacher classroom mealtime behavior. Findings showed that teacher mealtime behavior was significantly associated with teacher experience.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Halloran, K., M, Gorman, K., Fallon, M., & Tovar, A. (2018). Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Fruit and Vegetable Intake as Predictors of Head Start Teachers' Classroom Mealtime Behaviors. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 50(4), 340-348. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2017.10.015

Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2017.10.015

Comment

Katherine Marie Halloran and Kathleen Forman are from the Department of Psychology. Megan Fallon and Allison Tovar are from the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences.