Horticultural Science & Technology (원예과학기술지)

Korean Society of Horticultural Science (한국원예학회)
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Effect of a Horticultural Program with Nutrition Emphasis on Preschool Children to Promote Healthy Eating Habits

취학 전 아동의 올바른 식습관을 위한 영양교육 병행 원예 프로그램의 효과

Park, Seong-Hyun;Huh, Moo-Ryong
박성현;허무룡

  • Published : 2009.09.30
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Abstract

A horticultural program with a hands-on gardening and nutrition emphasis was taught to determine the effect it had on promoting healthy eating habits of preschool children. Sixty preschool children aging 5 to 7 participated in this study. Children in the experimental group participated in a one-hour horticultural program that occurred twice a week for 4 months. Activity room and outside garden in the preschool were used for the horticultural program. The Food Preference Questionnaire (FPQ), the Dietary Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ), the Horticultural Program Evaluation (HPE), and demographic measures were obtained before and after the program. Children in the horticultural program had significantly more positive outcomes than those in the control group. Measurement of the FPQ was significantly different between two groups (P<0.0001). Among the FPQ subcategories, fruit and vegetable preferences did significantly increase over the course of the program for the experimental group, especially for the fruits and vegetables that children grew themselves during the program. Horticultural program made a statistically significant impact on differences in the DBQ scores between groups as well (P=0.005). Children in the experimental group had improved dietary behavior as compared to the control group. Positive outcomes were also noted in the HPE for the experimental group indicated by high preference of the program. In conclusion, the horticultural program with a gardening and nutrition emphasis was effective in preschool children to promote healthy eating habits by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Further research is needed to clarify long-term benefits of gardening-based nutrition education program for promoting healthy behaviors and preventing obesity and other negative impacts across childhood and throughout adolescence.

본 연구는 아동의 기호도가 낮은 채소와 과일류의 재배와 이용, 오감을 다양하게 자극할 수 있는 식물들을 활용한 원예활동을 영양교육과 병행하여 실시함으로써 아동으로부터 자연에 대한 친밀감, 자연과의 유대관계성을 이끌어내고, 몸의 움직임이 많은 생활방식에 친숙해지도록 하며 건강한 먹거리에 대한 인지도를 높임으로써 아동의 올바른 식습관 정립을 돕고자 하였다. 5-7세 사이의 취학 전 아동 60명을 대조군과 실험군으로 나누어 실험군 아동들은 4개월 간 총 29회의 영양교육 병행 원예활동에 참여하였다. 원예활동은 주치료사, 보조치료사, 담임교사가 참여한 가운데, 일주일에 두 번, 한 시간 가량 유치원 내 실내실습실과 실외 텃밭을 활용하여 진행하였다. 실험참여 아동들에게는 연구에 필요한 기초자료 수집과 더불어 음식선호도, 식사습관, 원예활동 평가 질문지를 실시하였다. 영양교육 병행 원예활동 실시 전과 후의 음식선호도 변화를 비교해 본 결과, 원예활동에 참여한 아동들의 경우 대조군 아동들보다 편식하지 않고 음식을 골고루 먹으려고 노력하는 경향을 보였으며(P<0.0001), 식사 습관도 눈에 띄게 향상되는 것을 알 수 있었다(P=0.005). 선호도가 가장 많이 증가한 채소류의 경우 원예활동을 통해 직접 길러보거나 요리 등을 통해 활용해 본 채소가 많아 아동의 원예경험이 식습관 개선에 중요한 역할을 수행할 수 있음을 보여주었다. 취학 전 아동을 대상으로 한 원예활동은 자연과의 접촉 결핍과 먹거리 편식에 처해 있는 우리 아동들을 건강한 몸과 정신을 가진 하나의 인격체로 바르게 성장할 수 있도록 돕는데 효과적인 대안이 될 수 있을 것이다.

Keywords

References

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