title: Perceptions of children, parents, and teachers regarding whole-grain foods, and implications for a school-based intervention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify perceptions of whole-grain foods and factors influencing intake by children, parents, and teachers as the basis for increasing intake by children within a school-based intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus group interviews with questions based on Social Cognitive Theory.
  
  
  METHODS
  After-school care programs in 4 elementary schools in a large metropolitan district in St. Paul, Minn.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven, three and two focus group interviews with children (n = 40; grades K-6), parents (n = 18), and teachers (n = 11), respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Child and adult factors influencing intake of whole-grain foods, with a tasting activity to stimulate discussion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative data analysis procedures to generate common themes from encoded transcripts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adults and children were positive about sensory characteristics of whole-grain products. Knowledge of ways to identify these foods was limited. Taste preferences strongly influenced selection of bread and cereals. Children suggested that new school foods should look and taste good, be familiar, and be promoted through sampling, peer influence, and incentives. Adults suggested a gradual increase in whole-grain content of school meals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Focus groups were useful in understanding perceptions regarding whole-grain foods and yielded valuable insight toward design of a school-based intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
authors.forename: Teri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burgess-Champoux
authors.forename: Len
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marquart
authors.forename: Zata
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vickers
authors.forename: Marla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reicks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001939:Bread; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002523:Edible Grain; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005518:Food Preferences; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D014481:United States