1.

Abstract/summary:

Objectives of this research are to identify what types of vegetables do children like and dislike and to determine barriers on vegetables intake among school children. This study use cross sectional study design and many articles were obtained related to the problem in our research. The aim of this study is to increase children desire on eating vegetables. This study evaluate different types of vegetables might give different preference for children intake of vegetables. Besides, gender and other ecological factors (e.g: parental influence, socioeconomic factor, behavioral attitude) influence this findings. Participants in this research are 120 school children aged 10 to 12 years old, selected randomly in Sekolah Kebangsaan Meru, Puncak Alam. Children preferences on vegetables were tested using a closed ended questionnaire and focus group discussion. There are several limitations such as a preference of vegetarian children might manipulate the liking of vegetables intake results and some children might not finish answering the questionnaire. However, this lacking in answering questionnaire was back up in focus group discussion. Open discussion encouraged children to recognize vegetables their like by looking at the pictures. Data is obtained until saturated.

2. Title: Vegetables intake among children: The perception of vegetables among school-aged

children between 10 to 12 years old in Sekolah Kebangsaan Meru, Puncak Alam.

3. Statement of problems: 3.1. There are several types of vegetables do children like or dislikes which are green leaves

vegetables and fruit vegetables.

Examples of green leaves vegetables are spinach,

mustard, and kangkung. While the examples for fruit vegetables are tomato, carrot, and potato. Every child has different desire toward different types of vegetables. 3.2. Barriers on eating vegetables among school-age children between 10 12 years old. There are several barriers we had found in our references which are parental influences,
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socioeconomic status, mass media influence (eg: food advertising and marketing) and also availability and accessibility toward vegetables intake among children.

4. Literature review:

One of the principles of healthy eating is consume enough vegetables and fruits in diet. According to The Food Pyramid Guide (USDA, 1992), people have to consume 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. In contrast, Perry C.L et.al (1998) claims that children and adolescents consume fewer than 5 servings a day. Diet rich in vegetables and fruits reduce the risk of getting many diseases, Baxter I.A et al (1997). Due to this health benefits, the importance of consuming sufficient fruit and vegetables should be emphasize. Nowadays, children consume fewer vegetables in their diet. Guthrie J. et al (2005) found that children tend to skip their meals if the meal preparation is focusing only to vegetables. There are some indications children prefer raw vegetables (Gallup, 1999), however, very little is known about childrens preference for vegetables and in which context they prefer to eat vegetables (Harper, 1963). Moura S.L (2007) suggests that difference types of vegetables give different preference for children to eat. Children have an innate liking for sweetness, and a dislike for bitter or sour vegetables. Besides, Baxter I.A et al (1997) state that children dislike eating bitter and sour vegetables due to the unpleasant taste. It was suggested that stimulation is one of the theory suggested to increase children preferences for a particular food taste (Birch et al 1982). Vegetables flavor, texture, color and methods of preparation contribute to low consumption among children. There are several causes influence children vegetables intake (Monika J.A et al,1997). Socioeconomic factors, parental led exposure, behavioral attitudes like personal preference do greatly affect vegetables consumption among children (Guthrie J. et al ,2005). Children tend to follow their parents preference on preparation of foods, as to include or exclude vegetables in meals. In order to overcome this problem, many intervention programs on promoting vegetables intake were develop to minimize this problem. Perry C.L et.al.(1998) stated that multicomponent school based programs such as behavioral curricula in classrooms, parental involvement, school food service change, and industry support and involvement can increase fruit and vegetables consumption among children. Knai et al (2005) studied the effectiveness of this interventions
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program to include vegetables campaign in school and market. However, the success of this interventions vary greatly depends on the children themselves. The methodological approaches used in this research were food campaign, nutrition education, and lifestyle promotion in school. Modification of the taste preferences of vegetables and the effectiveness of these factors (economic status, parental influences and educational background) affect children eating behavior. Moura S.L (2007) suggests that difference types of vegetables give different preference for children to eat. Children have an innate liking for sweetness, and a dislike for bitter or sour vegetables. Further research to determine what types of vegetables do children like and dislike and what barriers for increasing consumption of vegetables should be study. A module for encouraging children to correct their preference towards certain types of vegetable should be done in order to reach our aim.

5. Research questions: 5.1. What types of vegetables do children like and dislike? 5.2. What factors those contribute to vegetables intake among children?

6. Objectives: 6.1. To identify what types of vegetables do children like and dislike.
6.2. To determine barriers on vegetables intake among school children.

7. Hypothesis: 7.1. Children likes to eat soft and sweet vegetables such as pumpkin and sweet potato compared to firm and sour vegetables such as tomato and cauliflower.

7.2. Children with low family income, poor parental influences, less exposure in mass media and poor availability and accessibility towards vegetables will take fewer vegetables.

8. Aim:
8.1. To develop a module to increase vegetables intake among school-aged children range

from 10 -12 years old.

9. Study design:

Cross sectional study. We prefer this type of study design because it is the simplest form of an observational study and it also known as a prevalence study. It is suitable with our research proposal study which we want to identify what types of vegetables children like and dislike. Furthermore, we also determine several factors that influence vegetables intake among children.

10. Setting:
10.1.

Size of study subject: 120 school-aged children in Sekolah Kebangsaan Meru, Puncak Alam.

10.2.

Time frame: The time frame is nine months which from January 2011 until September 2011.

11. Research instrument : 11.1.

11.2.

Questionnaire Focus group discussion

12. Sampling design and sample size:

Simple random sampling. It can be defined as randomly pick individuals to include in the sample. In our research proposal, we want to study the perception of vegetables intake among children aged 10 to 12 years old (upper primary school children). The reference population is all upper primary school children. Next is the source of population is upper primary school children in Selangor. For the sampling frame are classes of school children age among 10-12 years old in school in Puncak Alam, Selangor.

The study sample is composed of 120 school children, consist of both genders. a) 40 school children in standard 4 b) 40 school children in standard 5 c) 40 school children in standard 6 School children who had parental approval to take part in study is our study subject.

13. Bias:

13.1

Vegetarians will consume only vegetables in their diet. This will affect the
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children preference on vegetables intake. 13.2 Lifestyles: exposure of certain types of vegetables since childhood influence children preference on types of vegetables intake.

14. Ethical issue: 14.1.

Consent form: An agreement is obtained from guardian to involve children as a study subject. A consent form is given before distribution the questionnaire and conduct focus group discussion.

14.2

Approval from Ministry of Health Education: An approval from Ministry of Health Education is obtain in order to use Sekolah Kebangsaan Meru as our study sample.

15. Problems and limitations : 15.1 15.2 This study is limited to the children in range of age 10 to 12 years old. Preference of vegetarian children might manipulate the liking of vegetables intake results. 15.3 Some children might not finish answering the questionnaire due to the distractibility in answering questions.

16. Data processing procedure:

16.1

Data collection:

a. Face to face interview (e.g: questionnaire). We choose questionnaire as our first

method because it is easy for the children to answer the question related to our research problems. The questionnaire measured a variety of factors and types of vegetables related to children vegetables consumption as well as demographic data (eg: age and gender) and other variables.
b. Focus group discussion- until data is saturated. We conduct focus group

discussion to discuss children opinion about types of vegetables intake in their diet. Children list vegetables that they like and dislike and what method do they prefer most. We approach the children by using pictures of vegetables in order to create their involvement in this discussion.

16.2

Data analysis: The data will be analyzed by using SPSS system-quantitative study. The frequency of the result is calculated in percentage %.

17. Work schedule: It is the time frame in order to complete the research. To completed by Task Proposal writing Instrument construction Article approval (Weeks or Month) 3 4 5

Pilot study Data collection Data analysis Report writing/ final

18. Budget:

Items

Cost/budget

Transportation travel expenses from office to RM 50.00 school (site of study subject) Payment for dietetics and nutritionist - nutrition programme Crocs- Flip chart (eg: pictures of vegetables), -Photostat (consent x 120 pieces, questionnaire x 120) - Printing Reward snack flavored vegetables TOTAL RM 20.00 RM 24.00 RM 30.00 RM 36.00 RM 360.00 RM 200.00

References:

Books

Grosveno, M.B., & Smolin, L.A. (2006). Nutrition Everyday Choices: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Macmilia,. (1996). Everything You Need to Know to Be A Healthy Vegetarian: Vegetables Times, Inc.

Brown, J.E, (2005). Nutrition Now: Thompson Learning, Inc. 4 etd.

Internet ( journals and articles )

Baxter I.R., & Monika J.A. Vegetable consumption among Scottish children: a review of the determinants and proposed strategies to overcome low consumption: British Food Journal.

Boeckner, L., (1993, April). NF93-117 Food Guide Pyramid Vegetable Group: Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. Perry, C.L., Bishop B.D. et al (1998, April). Changing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among Children: the 5-a-day Power plus Program in St. Paul, Minnesota: American
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Journal of Public Health,. Vol. 88, No. 4. Retrieved August 18, 2010, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/1508423/.

Mclaughli, L. et al (1930, July 14). Vegetables in the diets of preschool children: The Journel of Nutrition. Retrieved August 15, 2010,from http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/4/1/115.
Chutima & Kinkarn (2010, Mei 25).Using food experience, multimedia and role models for promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in Bangkok kindergarten children: Journal compilation @ Dietitian Association Australia. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Retrieved August 15, 2010, from http://journals.cambridge.org/action/.

Sndergaard, H.A., and Edelenbos M. (2007, April 4). Food Quality and Preference: What parents prefer and children like Investigating choice of vegetable-based food for children: Food Quality and Preference. Volume 18, Issue 7, October 2007, Pages 949962. Retrieved August 15, 2010, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science.

John J.H., and Ziebland S. (2004, April 1). Reported barriers to eating more fruit and vegetables before and after participation in a randomized controlled trial: a qualitative study: Health Education Research, Vol. 19, No. 2, 165-174. Retrieved August 15, 2010, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WB24MBT1HN. Capaldi, E.D., and Privitera, G. J., (2007, Jun 28). Appetite Decreasing dislike for sour and bitter in children and adults: Elsevier Ltd,. Appetite Article. Vol 50, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 139-145. Retrieved August 15, 2010, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WB2-4P2S8VH. Moura S.L.,(2007, August 27). Appetite Determinants of food rejection amongst school children: Elsevier Ltd,. Appetite Article., Vol 49, Issue 3, November 2007, Pages 716719. Retrieved August 15, 2010, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science? _ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WB2-4PHJTHH. Mary J.K.,et al (2002, Mei 12). Explaining school children's fruit and vegetable consumption: The contributions of availability, accessibility, exposure, parental consumption and habit in addition to psychosocial factors : Journal of Nutrition. Retrieved August 10, 2010, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science? _ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WB2-4MBT1HN. Knai, C., Pomerleau J., Lock K., & McKee M. (2005).Getting children to eat more fruit and vegetables : Journal of Preventive Medicine Vol 42, (2006) pg 85-95.
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F.Guthrie J., Lin B., Reed J., & Stewart H. (2005).Understanding economic and behavioral influences on fruit and vegetable choices: Amber Waves, Volume 3, Issue 2.

Wardle J., (2002). Increasing children acceptance of vegetables: Appetite Articles, Vol 40 (2003) pg 155-162.

APPENDIX

A. QUESTIONNAIRES: Tick on the right answer.

1) Gender: Male Female

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2) Age:

10 years old 11 years old 12 years old

3) Do you like to eat vegetables?

Yes No

4) Please tick at vegetables that you are familiar with? Kangkung Mustard Spinach Broccoli Pumpkin Tomato Cabbage Cauliflower Carrot

If you like eating vegetables, continue answering number 5 until 8. If no, start answering question number 9.

5) Based on the question number 4, list what vegetable(s) do you like to eat.

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6) Your mother prepared lunch for you. Which type of vegetables preparation do you like most? Fried vegetables Salad (mix of vegetables) Stem vegetables Boiled/soup vegetables

7) In a week, how many times do you eat vegetables?

1-2 times 3-4 times

5-6 times

8) Why do you consume vegetables?

Parent insisting I just like it Taste

For healthy purpose Texture & color

9) Based on the question number 4, list what vegetable(s) do dislike to eat.

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10) What the reasons you do not like eating vegetables. Bitter & sour Texture ( eg: firm, soft ) Types of vegetables preparation (eg : fried) Color

11)

Do you like to eat vegetables-based snack?

Yes

No

12)

Do your parents work? Yes

No

13) What is your parents occupation? Government staff Private worker Working alone

14) How frequent your parents cooked vegetables in a week? 1-2 times 7-8 times 5-6 times 3-4 times

15) Do you help your mother in preparing vegetables for meals ( lunch, dinner) ? Yes No
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B. INTERVENTION GUIDE FOR FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION:

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Participants: 8-10 school children aged 10 to 12 years old. Time of discussion: 15-20 minutes, until data is saturated.

Theme 1. Types of vegetables.

Probe Example of question : do you like to eat green leafy vegetables? Do you like to eat fruit-based vegetables?

2. What vegetables do you frequently Example : tomato, spinach. Use of pictures eat/ like to eat? to help children to recognize types of vegetables. 3. What methods of preparation do Example : fried, stirred, boiled vegetables. you prefer? Or what your mother always cooked at home, regarding vegetables preparation.
4. Did your mother or other family

To determine barrier/encouragement of

members influence you to eat eating vegetables at home. vegetables? 5. Why you like or dislike certain Perception of children onto vegetables may types of vegetables? determine by texture, flavor and the colour of vegetables itself.

C. CONSENT FORM: 16

CHILD GUARDIAN CONSENT FORM I ____________________ , the current legal parent of_______________________ (Childs parent name) (childs name)

born on ___________________________________, hereby appoint to give permission for (child's date of birth) my children to take part in this research. Here are the details about the research study: a) Title: Vegetables intake among children: The perception of vegetables among schoolaged children between 10 to 12 years old in Sekolah Kebangsaan Meru, Puncak Alam. b) Objectives: c) Aim: To develop a module to increase vegetables intake among school-aged children range from 10 -12 years old.
d) Method: questionnaire and focus group discussion

To identify what types of vegetables do children like and dislike. To determine barriers on vegetables intake among school children.

___________________________ (Parent's Signature) ___________________________ (I/C number)

__________________ (Date)

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