- Email: [email protected]
Nutrition-related toys
the next decade, there will be enormous growth in the development of computerassisted instruction (CAl) for nutrition education. Because controlled research that examines computer use in nutrition education is scant, this JNE issue does not contain a research section. This is a fertile area for research: We know little about the comparative effectiveness of computer-assisted versus traditional approaches to nutrition education or about which educational paradigm is most effective for various audiences. We hope this JNE issue will stimulate
research studies to answer these questions and that it will promote the development and use of appropriate and effective nutrition education software. This expanded issue of the Journal reflects the time, effort, creativity, and cooperation of many individuals. The publication schedule was tight, and deadlines short. In trying to minimize repetitiveness and maximize comprehensiveness and cohesiveness, the editorial staff often asked authors to make major revisions within a very short time period. Authors' promptness and willingness to accept suggestions
Forum Nutrition·related Toys In your review of Yummy Designs' stuffed fruits and vegetables (JNE 15:151, 1983), the reviewer questioned whether playing with nutrition-related toys could actually influence children's eating behavior. This very hypothesis (Can play with nutrition-oriented toys contribute to teaching children good nutrition and result in such behavioral changes as increased food familiarity and improved food selection behavior?) was tested and reported on in a paper presented at the SNE Annual Meeting in Denver in July 1983. The report was entitled "Nutrition Education of Preschool Children Utilizing Nutrition Education Oriented Toys in the Home," by Terry Wright and Sudha Mehta of Northern Illinois University. Their research involved an experimental group of children who played with nutrition-oriented puzzles, card games, electric boards, and blocks, at home, under the supervision of their parents. A control group played with similar toys that were not nutrition-oriented. Results on pre- and posttest comparisons for the experimental group were significant for measures of increased food familiarity as well as for improved meal selection, with no significant differences shown for the control group. The authors concluded that "this approach to nutrition education could be very promising." As a nutritionist and a nutrition educator, I have used this premise for the development of my Yummy Designs concept and materials. My soft, colorful, cuddly fruits and vegetables are not merely toys. They come packaged in a learning kit with a lesson booklet specifically designed for nutri38
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION
tion educators, teachers, health professionals, and parents. The kit is designed to be used in lessons and activities with children as a means to learning and positive behavior change. I feel that the question raised by the JNE review has important implications for nutrition educators, parents, and teachers working and playing with young children. I am interested in a response, through this Forum, from any readers who might have additional information, references, ideas, or interest in this subject. Laurie Manahan, MPH, MS, RD, President, Yummy Designs, Chino, CA 91710.
New International Division The purpose of this letter is to draw readers' attention to a meeting that will be held on the evening of Tuesday, July 10, 1984, in Philadelphia to explore future SNE involvement in international nutrition. The Society for Nutrition Education has a stated, overall goal "to promote nutritional well-being for all people through education, communication and educationrelated research." But a review of the evidence shows that until now, almost all the Society'S attention has been focused on problems indigenous to and programs appropriate for the populations of the United States and Canada. The content of JNE, the presentations at annual meetings, and the activities of the Society, all emphasize the nutritional well-being of majority and minority groups of the industrialized countries, particularly those of North America. The Society has not adequately addressed international nutrition problems. The talents of members of the Society might be
was most gratifying. The members of the JNE Board of Editors and many volunteer ad hoc reviewers gave generously of their time in reviewing manuscripts and software programs. Special thanks are due to Carol Byrd-Bredbenner and Suzanne Pelican who served as guest associate editors. They provided guidance with manuscript review, revision, and final acceptance. In addition, they developed the instrument for evaluating software and with the assistance of Cathleen McElligott, elicited software and circulated it for review. Barbara Shannon, Editor better harnessed to help address these problems in the years ahead if an International Division were established within SNE. Such a division might also help accommodate the international interests of current and new members. This development need not, in any way, detract from the current important work of the Society. It is my view (and I know this is shared by other members) that SNE should consider moving in this new direction. Our Society has become a strong force in North America, and should now consider greater involvement in international nutrition. Although the Society has over 1000 names of current and lapsed foreign members, only a small minority of these are from the non-industrialized nations. But many of our members are concerned about the important nutritional problems of other countries, and realize that industrialized countries already play both a positive and negative role internationally. At the Seventeenth Annual Meeting of SNE in Philadelphia, a "get together" will be held on the evening of Tuesday, July 10, 1984, for the purpose of exploring the possibility of forming an International Division within SNE. Such a division could serve two main purposes. First, it could address the problems that exist in the developing countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean; and second, it could provide a forum for non-U .S. members of the Society. Such a division might also boost membership in SNE. I would encourage interested persons to attend this proposed meeting, which has the active support of the President, Board, and staff of SNE. We hope to see you there and to hear your ideas. Michael C. Latham, Professor of International Nutrition, and Director, Program in International Nutrition, Savage Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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VOLUME 16
NUMBER2
1984
research studies to answer these questions and that it will promote the development and use of appropriate and effective nutrition education software. This expanded issue of the Journal reflects the time, effort, creativity, and cooperation of many individuals. The publication schedule was tight, and deadlines short. In trying to minimize repetitiveness and maximize comprehensiveness and cohesiveness, the editorial staff often asked authors to make major revisions within a very short time period. Authors' promptness and willingness to accept suggestions
Forum Nutrition·related Toys In your review of Yummy Designs' stuffed fruits and vegetables (JNE 15:151, 1983), the reviewer questioned whether playing with nutrition-related toys could actually influence children's eating behavior. This very hypothesis (Can play with nutrition-oriented toys contribute to teaching children good nutrition and result in such behavioral changes as increased food familiarity and improved food selection behavior?) was tested and reported on in a paper presented at the SNE Annual Meeting in Denver in July 1983. The report was entitled "Nutrition Education of Preschool Children Utilizing Nutrition Education Oriented Toys in the Home," by Terry Wright and Sudha Mehta of Northern Illinois University. Their research involved an experimental group of children who played with nutrition-oriented puzzles, card games, electric boards, and blocks, at home, under the supervision of their parents. A control group played with similar toys that were not nutrition-oriented. Results on pre- and posttest comparisons for the experimental group were significant for measures of increased food familiarity as well as for improved meal selection, with no significant differences shown for the control group. The authors concluded that "this approach to nutrition education could be very promising." As a nutritionist and a nutrition educator, I have used this premise for the development of my Yummy Designs concept and materials. My soft, colorful, cuddly fruits and vegetables are not merely toys. They come packaged in a learning kit with a lesson booklet specifically designed for nutri38
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION
tion educators, teachers, health professionals, and parents. The kit is designed to be used in lessons and activities with children as a means to learning and positive behavior change. I feel that the question raised by the JNE review has important implications for nutrition educators, parents, and teachers working and playing with young children. I am interested in a response, through this Forum, from any readers who might have additional information, references, ideas, or interest in this subject. Laurie Manahan, MPH, MS, RD, President, Yummy Designs, Chino, CA 91710.
New International Division The purpose of this letter is to draw readers' attention to a meeting that will be held on the evening of Tuesday, July 10, 1984, in Philadelphia to explore future SNE involvement in international nutrition. The Society for Nutrition Education has a stated, overall goal "to promote nutritional well-being for all people through education, communication and educationrelated research." But a review of the evidence shows that until now, almost all the Society'S attention has been focused on problems indigenous to and programs appropriate for the populations of the United States and Canada. The content of JNE, the presentations at annual meetings, and the activities of the Society, all emphasize the nutritional well-being of majority and minority groups of the industrialized countries, particularly those of North America. The Society has not adequately addressed international nutrition problems. The talents of members of the Society might be
was most gratifying. The members of the JNE Board of Editors and many volunteer ad hoc reviewers gave generously of their time in reviewing manuscripts and software programs. Special thanks are due to Carol Byrd-Bredbenner and Suzanne Pelican who served as guest associate editors. They provided guidance with manuscript review, revision, and final acceptance. In addition, they developed the instrument for evaluating software and with the assistance of Cathleen McElligott, elicited software and circulated it for review. Barbara Shannon, Editor better harnessed to help address these problems in the years ahead if an International Division were established within SNE. Such a division might also help accommodate the international interests of current and new members. This development need not, in any way, detract from the current important work of the Society. It is my view (and I know this is shared by other members) that SNE should consider moving in this new direction. Our Society has become a strong force in North America, and should now consider greater involvement in international nutrition. Although the Society has over 1000 names of current and lapsed foreign members, only a small minority of these are from the non-industrialized nations. But many of our members are concerned about the important nutritional problems of other countries, and realize that industrialized countries already play both a positive and negative role internationally. At the Seventeenth Annual Meeting of SNE in Philadelphia, a "get together" will be held on the evening of Tuesday, July 10, 1984, for the purpose of exploring the possibility of forming an International Division within SNE. Such a division could serve two main purposes. First, it could address the problems that exist in the developing countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean; and second, it could provide a forum for non-U .S. members of the Society. Such a division might also boost membership in SNE. I would encourage interested persons to attend this proposed meeting, which has the active support of the President, Board, and staff of SNE. We hope to see you there and to hear your ideas. Michael C. Latham, Professor of International Nutrition, and Director, Program in International Nutrition, Savage Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
14853
VOLUME 16
NUMBER2
1984