Evaluation of a Technology Utilizing Nutrition Curriculum on Dietary Intake

Author

Kelsi Chappell, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Date of Award

2016

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Science

Department

Nutrition and Food Sciences

First Advisor

Geoffrey Greene

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of a 13-week combined technology enhanced Body Quest: Food of the Warrior (BQ) and Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) obesity prevention focused nutrition education curriculum to increase fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and decrease sugary sweetened snacks (SwS), salty snacks (SaS), and sugary sweetened beverages (SSB) intake.

Design: Quasi -experimental design.

Participants/Setting: N=129 (treatment 70, control 59) 3^rd grade students in fullservice, low-income, urban community schools in Providence, RI completed pre/post surveys on iPads.

Intervention: Treatment group received 13-week technologically enhanced CYFAR/BQ nutrition education intervention. The control group completed pre and post surveys.

Main outcome Measures: Self-reported dietary intake of fruit, vegetables, SwS, SaS, and SSB.

Analyses: ANCOVA and paired sample t-test.

Results: Controlling for baseline intake, the treatment group consumed more fruit than the control group post-intervention (F = 8.778, p2= .065). Fruit consumption increased from 3.8 +/- 1.6 - 3.9 +/- 1.8 in the treatment group. The treatment group reported significantly lower intake than the control group in SwS (2.97 ± 1.61 to 2.19 ± 1.41 (p<.01), SaS (2.73 ± 1.60 - 2.11 ± 1.26(p<.01), and SSB (3.17 ± 1.72 - 2.23 ± 1.25(p<.001). No changes in any variables were reported in control group.

Conclusion: This program was associated with moderate increases in FV’s and decreases in SSB, SwS, and SaS.

Recommended Citation

Chappell, Kelsi, "Evaluation of a Technology Utilizing Nutrition Curriculum on Dietary Intake" (2016). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 842.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/842