A qualitative comparison of fruit and vegetable concepts and knowledge between preschoolers and their primary care providers and childcare providers

The purpose of this study was to provide nutrition educators with a baseline understanding of how preschoolers' current concepts and knowledge of fruits and vegetables relates with their primary care providers (i.e. parents, grandparents, or foster parents) and childcare providers. The exploratory, theory-based, qualitative study design involved interviews with preschoolers (n=24) and their primary care providers (n=22) and childcare providers (n=2). Maps were used to qualitatively compare similarities in responses to questions regarding fruits and vegetables between a preschooler and her primary care provider and childcare provider. The concepts expressed by the preschoolers were shared minimally with their primary care providers and childcare providers. Further work is needed in understanding how to utilize primary care providers and childcare providers and the underlying preschool contextual setting to increase preschoolers' concepts and knowledge of fruits and vegetables.