FRUIT - COMPARISONS OF ATTITUDES KNOWLEDGE AND PREFERENCES OF PRIMARY-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ENGLAND AND GERMANY

Primary school children's fruit consumption and attitudes, knowledge a nd preferences towards fruit were investigated using interview techniq ues in schools in England (Nottinghamshire) and Germany (North East) a nd analysed on the basis of culture, sex and social class. Children fr om both countries had strong positive attitudes to increase fruit cons umption and differed little in their ability to correctly identify, fi ve fruits (including tropical fruits). Fruit preferences also showed m any similarities with more than 95% of children from both Germany and England choosing apples as fruits they liked, followed closely by stra wberries, oranges, pears, grapes, and bananas. Fruit consumption by Ge rman children was, however, higher than English children both at break fast and during the school break. Strategies for increasing fruit cons umption in English children are discussed in relation to the findings obtained.