In the U.S., few children meet federal recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption, putting them at increased risk for overweight, obesity and several non-communicable diseases. Interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption delivered within the school setting are advantageous in that they provide the opportunity to reach many youths in period of life during which key diet-related behaviors are formed that may track into adulthood. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP), a federal food assistance program that serves over 30 million meals daily in over 100,000 schools in the U.S., is one example of an intervention that may increase fruit and vegetable consumption among children. Recent regulatory changes to the program via the 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) require compliance with minimum daily and weekly minimums for fruit and vegetables offered to students at lunch to receive federal reimbursement, which has resulted in increased availability of fruits and vegetables. Although preliminary evaluations of the regulatory changes have documented small increases in consumption, there is interest in identifying other programs and policies to ensure that components are consumed. Yet there is little meta-evidence that critically examines aspects related to the design of school-based intervention studies assessing fruit and vegetable consumption. This dissertation describes a systematic mapping review of the literature and three empirical studies which inform the development of a conceptual evaluation framework for designing studies to measure fruit and vegetable consumption among elementary students in the U.S. within schools participating in the NSLP. A systematic mapping review of the literature technique was used to identify studies conducted among elementary students in grades K-5th within schools in the United States in the period from 2004 to present with the primary outcome fruit and vegetable consumption at the lunch meal. A total of 61 records were included in the review, categorized as either methodological validation studies (n=10) or as studies of factors related to students’ consumption of fruits and vegetables (n=51). Validation studies were conducted with four types of dietary assessment methods within the school lunch setting, all demonstrating moderate accuracy relative to the referent method: weighed plate waste, direct observation, digital photography and self-report instruments. In the studies examining factors related to fruit and vegetable consumption at school lunch, the frequency of methods was as follows: weighed plate waste method (n=21), direct observation (n=14), digital photography methodology (n=12), and self-report (n=4). Most studies utilized cross-sectional (n=15) or quasi-experimental designs (n=24). A socio-ecological framework was used to group 19 environmental factors examined in these studies into 5 clusters of factors: individual, item-specific, meal-specific, cafeteria environment and school-wide/policy. While many factors were explored across studies, relatively few studies accounted for multiple factors in their analyses, leaving room for potential confounding. Three empirical studies were conducted within a larger, cross-sectional evaluation of FoodCorps, a national farm-to-school program that promotes fruit and vegetable consumption in school-aged children. First, this dissertation conducted a validation study to estimate the accuracy of a self-report questionnaire instrument relative to digital photography for measuring fruit and vegetable consumption in elementary students from 23 schools in a five-phase study. High agreement was observed between student reports of fruit and vegetable items on tray and items observed in digital photographs (match rate ranged from 77 to 88% depending on phase), as well as reports of amounts of fruit and vegetable items consumed (ranges from 67 to 83% depending on phase). There were no differences observed in accuracy of reporting between 2nd and 3rd grade students. It can therefore be concluded that a group-administered self-report instrument can be used to measure fruit and vegetable consumption in a school setting among 2nd and 3rd grade students, providing a potentially less costly instrument than existing objective methods. Second, a descriptive study reports intra-class correlation estimates for fruit and vegetable outcomes, quantifying the variation in these outcomes attributable to the school-level that can be used in power calculation for future studies. Using 2,571 before- and after-meal digital photographs collected of students’ lunch trays across 40 days of data collection within 20 schools, the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were estimated via multilevel regression models. The observed ICCs for all fruit and vegetable consumption outcomes ranged from 0.159 (vegetables on tray, continuous) to 0.472 (vegetables on tray, binary). Within each of food item category (fruit, vegetables, or fruit and vegetables combined), the highest ICC was observed for items on tray (binary). A multilevel linear model which included as covariates the percent of students eligible for free/reduced price lunch and the percent of white students was shown to decrease the ICC for each fruit and vegetable outcome variable except fruit on tray (binary). The largest for decrease in ICC was for the outcome fruit and vegetables on tray (in cup equivalents), wherein the model reduced ICC from 0.268 to 0.018, a 93% decrease. The power calculations for cluster randomized controlled trial that can conducted using these ICCs will help to ensure that researchers have adequately powered their studies. Third, select cafeteria environmental factors were examined in a cross-sectional study as they relate to students’ fruit and vegetable consumption at the lunch meal. Using the digital photographs of 2,571 lunch trays from the previous study, the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and several environmental factors was examined. The average consumption of fruit and vegetables was 0.35 cup equivalents (SD=0.31) and 0.24 cup equivalents (SD=0.29), respectively, among students who had them on their tray. When considering students who had a fruit or a vegetable or both on their tray (96% of the sample), the average was 0.45 cup equivalents (SD=0.40). Hierarchical linear models examined environmental variables and fruit and vegetable consumption outcomes: the number of fruit and vegetable items offered (range from 3 to 14 items) was positively associated with vegetable consumption (B=0.021; SE=0.006; P<0.001); noise (rage from 70 DbA to 84 DbA) was negatively associated with fruit consumption (B=-0.012; SE=0.004; P=0.003) and fruit and vegetable consumption (B=-0.017; SE=0.004; P<0.001); recess scheduled before lunch was positively associated with fruit consumption (relative to recess after lunch; B=0.100; SE=0.023; P<0.001) and fruit and vegetable consumption (B=0.096; SE=0.023; P<0.001). Despite cross-sectional evidence of an association, future research is necessary to systematically manipulate these variables to understand their impact. The results from these three studies and the systematic mapping review are used to develop a conceptual evaluation framework that can be used by researchers to improve the quality and design of studies promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among elementary school-aged children in the U.S.

Thesis (M. A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

The purpose of this study was to analyze scores of urban parochial elementary school pupils for The Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale (behavior, intellectual/school status, and anxiety) and for the Torrance Tests of Creativity (fluency, originality, and elaboration). Second, differences between groups divided according to grade, race, and socioeconomic status (SES) were examined. Third, relationships between self-concept and creative potential were investigated. The sample population included 163 pupils, grades 1-6, in a large midwestern city. Multivariate and univariate analysis of variance were used to test four null hypotheses applying the .05 level of confidence.Findings1. Significant differences were found in mean scores obtained by the total group of parochial school pupils indicating more positive self-concepts and lower degree of creativity when compared with the normative population for the two instruments employed.2. No statistical differences were found between primary and intermediate levels for the total group nor for the non-black subgroup. When the subgroup of Blacks was examined separately, differences indicated that intermediate pupils scored significantly higher in creativity than Blacks at the primary level.3. No statistically significant differences were found between any of the groups when divided between high and low socio-economic status.4. Differences were evidenced within certain subgroups when the subjects were divided into Black/non-black groups on the following variables on the Piers-Harris instrument (behavior and anxiety) and on the Torrance instrument (fluency, originality, and elaboration).Conclusions1. Positive self-concept revealed by the sample might be associated with environmental factors, school setting, selectivity of the study body and influence as reference group, philosophical foundations of the parochial schools, or other contributing factors.2. Lower degree of creativity could result from environmental atmosphere, academic expectations of the schools, and/or parential influences.3. Differences evidenced by Blacks on the variables (behavior, anxiety, fluency, originality, and elaboration) might be related to the influences of peer/referent groups, particularly in intermediate grades.4. Parochial school attendance appears to be a stabilizing influence in self-concept of behavior.5. Black students showed an increase in spontaneity and confidence in measures of creative tendencies. How this related to a reduction in positive experiences of self-concept is less obvious.Recommendations for additional research were provided.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Lehigh University, 2003. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-137).

A study into the influence of household and family structure on children in the Chatsworth area with special reference to primary school learners was undertaken. The main objective of the study was to understand the prevailing household/family structure in the Chatsworth area in view of the increasing divorce rate and the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to assess the relationship between household/family structure and outcomes which included access to healthcare, education, shelter, food and adult supervision. The participants consisted of 335 grade 7 learners from 11 primary schools who were selected using stratified random sampling and simple random sampling. The majority of the learners were Indian (67.7%), followed by Black learners (30.7%), Coloured learners (1.2%) and White learners (0.3%). A quantitative research method was implemented involving the administration of questionnaires to the sample of grade 7 learners from schools in the Chatsworth area. The research strategy employed was descriptive-explanatory. The main finding of the study was that for 63.8% of the participants the household structure was that of children residing with both parents-these results support the findings of other research in that South Africa may not yet have felt the full impact of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic in respect of orphan-hood and child-headed households- there should be further research in respect of identifying households affected by HIV/AIDS. Of great concern is that the findings revealed that over one-third of the participants are without adult supervision after school. There is a need for intervention in respect of care and protection of these children as the lack of adequate supervision places these children at risk of abuse and other forms of exploitation. The findings of this study as presented here will contribute towards developing intervention strategies to assist children and families at risk and to more effectively understand and meet the needs of children and families in this community as well researched information is critical in ensuring that responses are effective and adequate. Further studies should be undertaken on a larger scale to determine the prevalent household structure in this community and more extensively on a national scale given the national concerns about the impact of HIV/AIDS on family and households. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of reading aloud nonfiction science trade books on the attitudes toward science and the book selection habits of students in the elementary classroom. Gender differences among attitude and book selection were also explored.The school district chosen as the site for the research was located in a small Midwestern town with a population of about 32,000. The community consisted of people with diverse socioeconomic status and cultural backgrounds. Four teachers and 73 third grade students participated in the study. Complete data was available for 60 students.The four classrooms were randomly divided into two groups, those listening to science nonfiction trade books for twenty minutes each day for six weeks and those listening to nonscience books for twenty minutes each day for six weeks. An attitudinal survey was administered at the beginning and the end of the study. The percentage of science books versus other types of books was monitored for the six week period.The analysis of data revealed that students who were read the science nonfiction books chose a greater percentage of science books when checking out books from the library than did the students who were read nonscience books. There was no difference in the percentage of books selected by girls compared with those selected by boys. Results also showed a very slight increase in positive attitude toward science as a result of listening to science books during read-aloud sessions. There was no significant difference in the attitudes of the girls compared to the boys who were read science books. / Department of Elementary Education

The transition from elementary to middle school is a significant period of change for adolescents and is remarkable for several reasons, including the opportunity for new experiences and the potential for other developmental changes to occur simultaneously. Existing literature on transition includes both positive and negative outcomes for adolescents in areas of achievement, peer relations, self-esteem, and self concept, with gender differences including more negative outcomes for girls. The possibility of multiple transitions occurring simultaneously (i.e. puberty and academic transition), along with literature suggesting that the elimination of the middle school model and replacing it with a K-8 building configuration would reduce negative student outcomes, provided the rationale for the current study: an examination of early adolescents either making an academic transition following the fourth grade or remaining in a K-8 building, and the potential influence on self concept. In addition, student perceptions of school related issues were surveyed. A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance revealed no significant interactions of time and either group status or gender on self concept. The information from the student perception survey suggested students in the Transition group were more likely to report school as being very different before and after transition. Environmental factors, such as having a locker and more choices in the cafeteria, were more important to students than making new friends or facing increased difficulty in academics. The findings of the current study lend support to academic transition occurring at an earlier age and suggest a greater emphasis on environmental aspects of transition and protective factors in facilitating positive outcomes. / Department of Educational Psychology

Graduation date: 1992

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Toronto, 2005.

Thesis (M.Ed.(Curriculum Studies))-University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.