Assessing the impact of an exposure-based intervention on elementary students' liking, willingness to try and tasting of three new fruits

Abstract

This study sought to assess elementary students' liking, willingness to try and tasting of three fruits introduced through their school's breakfast program. Students (n=325) from seven schools completed pre-tested questionnaires asking if they liked and were willing to try three test fruits [time 0]. These questionnaires were repeated eight weeks later [time 1]. Students were then offered each fruit 1x/week for eight weeks. Students completed the same questionnaires after this intervention [time 2] and after a 10 week follow-up period [time 3]. Fifty-seven percent (571/1002) of students returned signed parental/guardian consent forms. Of these students, 57% (325/571) completed all four sets of questionnaires. Although no significant increases in liking and willingness to try the test fruits were found, trends suggest the intervention may improve school children's tasting of the fruits offered. Recommendations from this study may be useful when designing future research of this nature.