Early Exposure to Fruits, Vegetables May Shape Future Dietary Habits, Study Finds

A study published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal suggests that regularly exposing children to fresh fruits and vegetables can encourage them to try more of these foods, the Madison Capital Times reports. Led by a research team at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the study compared data on two groups of fourth-, seventh- and ninth-grade students from 20 Wisconsin schools. Half of the schools participated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides funding to help schools offer fruit and vegetable snacks; the other half did not participate. After three months, the researchers found that the 784 students at schools in the program were more likely to try new vegetables at school, and twice as likely to try new fruits at school, as were students at the other schools. Based on student survey data, the researchers determined that the USDA program had greatest impact among fourth graders. They suggest the findings affirm the importance of introducing children to fruits and vegetables as early as possible to increase the likelihood that they will select produce over other, less healthy options. And though students’ greater interest in these offerings did not appear to carry through to their choices at home, the researchers suggest the benefits could extend there after longer exposure to the program. They call for further study of the long-term effects of such fruit and vegetable programs on childhood overweight and obesity (Shore, MadisonCapital Times, 8/18/08; Jamelske, Wisconsin Medical Journal, August 2008).