Effect of nutrition intervention using a general nutrition course for promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among college students.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of implementing nutrition intervention using a general nutrition class to promote consumption of fruits and vegetables in college students.


METHODS
3-day food records were collected, verified, and analyzed before and after the intervention.


METHODS
A midwestern university.


METHODS
80 college students, ages 18 to 24, participated in the study.


METHODS
The intervention focused on nutrition knowledge related to prevention of chronic diseases, healthful dietary choices increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, dietary feedback, and interactive hands-on activities.


METHODS
Consumption of: total vegetable, fresh vegetable, starchy vegetable, french fries, vegetable juice, total fruit, fresh fruit, canned fruit, and fruit juice.


METHODS
Dependent t test was used to analyze the differences in pre- and posttest. Analysis of variance was used to determine differences in dietary changes between groups.


RESULTS
Participants significantly increased consumption of not only total fruits and vegetables (P < .005), but also fresh fruits and vegetables (P < .005). Intake of french fries decreased significantly (P < .05). Females responded better to the intervention than males in increasing vegetable consumption (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Class-based nutrition intervention focusing on prevention of chronic diseases is a cost-effective approach to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among college students.
Ha
Eun-Jeong
EJ
Family and Consumer Studies, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA. eha@kent.edu
Caine-Bish
Natalie
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D014675:Vegetables; D055815:Young Adult