Promoting fruit and vegetable consumption by applying social support theory in grade 5 students, Warinchamrap District, Ubonratchatani Province

Abstract

        This quasi-experimental research was conducted to examine an intervention
program designed to promote fruit and vegetable consumption among school
children by using guardians’ social support. Participants were grade 5 students
from 2 schools in Warinchamrap District and their guardians. Forty pairs of
guardian-students from one school were the experimental group. The guardians
were given knowledge of fruits and vegetables for school children,
social support roles to promote of fruit and vegetable consumption by their
children, and building skills in preparing vegetables and fruits. The 41 pairs in
another school were assigned as a comparison group. The study period was
4 weeks. Data were collected using questionnaires covering guardians’
knowledge of fruits and vegetables for school children and the social support
which students received from their guardians. The fruit and vegetables
consumed by students were recorded using a three-day-food-record form.
Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test, Paired t-test and
Independent t-test.
       After the intervention, guardians in the experimental group had knowledge scores significantly higher than before the intervention, and higher than
those of the comparison group (p-value < 0.001). Also, students in the
experimental group had social support scores significantly higher than
before the intervention, and higher than the comparison group (p-value
< 0.001). Students in the experimental group consumed significantly more
vegetables and fruits than before the intervention (vegetables increased from
68.4 g to 88.5 g and fruits increased from 187.6 g to 257.7 g) and more than
the comparison group (p-value < 0.001). This amount of fruit consumed met
the recommended level for school children while the amount of vegetables
was only half of the recommendation. The findings indicated that the
promotion of vegetable consumption program for school children needed a
longer intervention period and required more cooperation between school,
guardians and students.