Evaluation of nutrition-based math/science curriculum on students’ attitudes towards F&V (2011)

Undergraduates: Claire Newlon, none none none

Faculty Advisor: Alice Ammerman
Department: Nutrition

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This project aimed to address whether a math and science curriculum using food as a teaching tool, called FoodMASTER, would improve dietary behaviors in elementary school children. The curriculum focuses on food-related activities specifically on local, sustainable food systems and on energy balance (healthy weight maintenance). A delayed-intervention control study design was implemented using pre- and post-surveys to measure food attitudes, behaviors, and intakes and qualitative data through interviews of teachers. Two 4th and 3rd grade classes were recruited (final n=52). Based on lunch recalls there was an increase in amount of fruit eaten for males (n=7) and F&V intake together in the intervention group following implementation of the curriculum. However, one food attitude indicator was more negative. In the controls the reported number of vegetable servings decreased while the amount of bun/bread and main course eaten at lunch increased. Findings are limited by the small sample size and inconsistent implementation.