Children's perceptions of fruit and vegetables : ways of increasing consumption

Abstract

This study has been carried out in order to encompass different perceptions of the meanings, emotions and reactions seven to eight year olds associate with fruit and vegetables. Preliminary research for the literature review was conducted in order to expose information about the nutritive value of fruit and vegetables in the daily diet; children's psychology; ways of increasing consumption, the barriers and the motivators. The pilot study and the summer project that followed consisted of a set of structured activities. These activities were held with four different classes, situated in different summer schools in Malta. Through these activities children's perceptions and associations with regards to fruit and vegetables; the barriers and motivators that influence children's food choices were obtained. In general Maltese children seemed to prefer fruits over vegetables. In fact, few of their favourites included: apples, bananas, peaches, strawberries and watermelons. In order to acquire a wider spectrum of what influences children's perceptions, questionnaires were distributed to the children's parents attending the summer schools to obtain their meaning of fruit and vegetables; the availability of fruit and vegetables at home; what the snacks and meals prepared mainly consist of; the time at their disposition to prepare snacks and meals that include fruit and vegetables; how often fruit and vegetables are included in their family's diet, whether they encourage children to eat fruits and vegetables and try to give them a taste for it. Through the questionnaires' analysis it was found out that there is a correlation between what the parents and the children consume; and that children do imitate and assimilate behaviour. An analysis and evaluation of the issues raised by the children was carried out in order to prepare a set of lesson plans and their respective resources which were carried out by four different professional teachers who kindly provided feedback upon which the whole programme was improved and finalised. This programme was the means by which the researchers managed to increase awareness in favour of fruit and vegetable consumption amongst Maltese children.