Evaluation of an OCES Nutrition Education Program, the Story of Benny the Traveling Bean, on First Grade Children's Willingness to Try Foods Containing Legumes

Abstract

An OCES Nutrition Education Program, The Story of Benny the Traveling Bean, was evaluated for its impact on first grade children's willingness to try foods containing legumes. The sample included 38 first grade children in a small rural Oklahoma town. Data from the pre, post, follow-up design was recorded on a recording form developed for the study, which tracked snacks put on plate and snacks tasted. During the first and third weeks, students only participated in snack tasting and observation. During the second week, the intervention group was read The Story of Benny the Traveling Bean, and the control group was read a non-food related book. After the stories, students participated in snack tasting and observation. Four snacks were provided at each data collection period; two containing legumes, and two not containing legumes. Frequency of children taking and tasting legume and non-legume snacks between the intervention and control groups at pre, post, and follow-up were analyzed using chi-square analysis. Significance was set at p≤0.05. The frequency of changes in children taking and tasting legume and non-legume snacks from pre to post, post to follow-up, and pre to follow-up between the intervention and control group were also analyzed using chi-square analysis. No significant differences were observed in the frequency of children taking and tasting legume and non-legume snacks between the intervention and control groups at pre, post, and follow-up or in the frequency of changes in children taking and tasting legume and non-legume snacks from pre to post, post to follow-up, and pre to follow-up between the intervention and control group.