Abstract
This pilot study assessed the effectiveness of a 6-lesson, culturally adapted nutrition curriculum on fruit and vegetable consumption. Thirty-three students from 6 classes in 3 rural elementary schools were assigned to an intervention group (n = 12) and a control group (n = 21) in accordance with time requirements to travel from one school to another and with the physical education class schedule. The intervention and control groups were assessed at baseline and posteducation for fruit and vegetable intake by using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire and a 12-item Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire. The change in intake from baseline to completion between groups is significantly different for total fruit and vegetable (2.7 +/- 1.0 serving per day, P <= .0001) and total vegetable (2.2 +/- 0.3 serving per day, P <= .0001) but not for total fruit. At completion, there were a significantly greater number of students who scored 75% or more on the knowledge questionnaire (100% in intervention, 14% in control, P <= .0001). This study indicates that culturally appropriate educational intervention is a potential tool to increase fruit and vegetable intake and nutrition knowledge in American Indian children.