Innovative methods in nutritional interventions through sensory-based workshops with preschool children
Keywords:
Food and nutrition education, Infant food, PreschoolersAbstract
Objective
This study aimed to describe the sensory workshops carried out as part of an intervention study developed in 2018 (Brazil), designed to promote the consumption of vegetables, legumes, and fruits among preschool children aged 4 to 6 years old (n=179).
Methods
The study comprised three stages: (a) raising awareness among the school staff and parents; (b) collecting data on children’s food consumption; and (c) conducting sensory-based workshops. Through experimentation, children were encouraged to explore the senses of smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch to learn about foods. Five workshops were held weekly each one corresponding to one of the senses. Participatory and interactive dynamics as well as playful techniques were adopted to stimulate children’s interaction with foods and verbal expression about the experiences.
Results
Through experimentation, the senses of smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch were explored, enabling children to learn about food and preparations.
Conclusion
The low-cost sensory method proved easy to apply and its replication in the school environment to promote healthy eating in preschoolers should be encouraged. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, under the register number RBR-5b6zrg.
References
Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Manual Orientação para a Alimentação Escolar na Educação Infantil, Ensino Fundamental, Ensino Médio e na Educação de Jovens e Adultos. Brasília: PNAE; 2012 [cited 2022 Aug 22]. Available from: https://alimentacaoescolar.org.br/media/acervo/documentos/manual_etapas_ensino_-_2ed.pdf
Ministério da Saúde (Brasil). Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde da Criança e da Mulher – PNDS 2006: Dimensões do processo reprodutivo e da saúde da criança. Brasília: Ministério; 2009. [cited 2022 Aug 22]. Available from: http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/pnds_crianca_mulher.pdf
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Nutrition Education in Primary School. Vol. 1. Rome: Organization; 2005 [cited 2022 Aug 22]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/3/a-a0333e.pdf
Ministério do Desenvolvimento Social e Combate à Fome (Brasil). Marco de referência de educação alimentar e nutricional para as políticas públicas. Brasília: Ministério; 2012. 68 p. [cited 2022 Aug. 22]. Available from: https:// www.cfn.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/marco_EAN.pdf
Institut Du Goût. [Internet]. Chantilly: Association Institut du Goût [cited 2018 Nov 10]. Available from: http://www. institutdugout.fr/
Coulthard H, Sealy A. Play with your food! Sensory play is associated with tasting of fruits and vegetables in preschool children. Appetite. 2017;113:84-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2017.02.003
Hoppu U, Prinz M, Ojansivu P, Laaksonen O, Sandell MA. Impact of sensory-based food education in kindergarten on willingness to eat vegetables and berries. Food Nutr Res. 2015;59:1-8. https://doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v59.28795
Kähkönen K, Rönkä A, Hujo M, Lyytikäinen A, Nuutinen, O. Sensory-based food education in early childhood education and care, willingness to choose and eat fruit and vegetables, and the moderating role of maternal education and food neophobia. Public Health Nutr. 2018;21(13):2443-53. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018001106
Wardle J, Sanderson S, Guthrie, CA, Rapoport L, Plomin R. Parental feeding style and the intergenerational transmission of obesity risk. Obes Res. 2002;10(6):453-62. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2002.63
Koistinen A, Ruhanen L. To the world of food with the aid of the senses: the sapere method as a support for children’s food and nutrition education in daycare centres. Helsinki: Sitra Finnish Innovation Fund; 2009 [cited 2022 Aug 22]. Available from: http://www.peda.net/img/portal/1918479/Sapere_toolbook_in_english.pdf?cs=1282656019
Borsa JC, Damásio BF, Bandeira DR. Cross-Cultural adaptation and validation of psychological instruments. Paidéia, 2012;22(53):423-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-43272253201314
Sapere Aisbl. [Internet]. Bruxelles: Sapere; c2018 [cited: 2022 Aug 22]. Available from: https://www.sapere-association.com
Sansolios S, Mikkelsen BE. Pilot European Regional interventions for smart childhood obesity prevention in early age: report on the interventions in Danish kindergartens. Denmark: Mela Sciences and Public Health Nutrition Aalborg University; 2010 [cited 2022 Aug 22]. Available from: https://vbn.aau.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/49832420/ PERISCOPE_Report_on_the_interventions_in_Danish_kindergartens.pdf
Helland SH, Bere E, Overby NC. Study protocol for a multi-component kindergarten-based intervention to promote healthy diets in toddlers: a cluster randomized trial. BMC Public Health, 2016;16:e273. https://doi.org/10.1186/ s12889-016-2952-x
Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Resolução nº 6, de 8 de maio de 2020. Dispõe sobre o atendimento da alimentação escolar aos alunos da educação básica no âmbito do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar - PNAE. Brasília: Ministério; 2020 [cited 2022 Aug 22]. Available from: https://www.fnde.gov.br/index.php/acesso-a-informacao/ institucional/legislacao/item/13511-resolu%C3%A7%C3%A3o-n%C2%BA-6,-de-08-de-maio-de-2020
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Camila Pinheiro COURA, Luana Silva MONTEIRO, Mara Lima DE CNOP, Daniela Alves MINUZZO, Rosangela Alves PEREIRA
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
