This study examined the effects of vegetable-focused nutrition education on vegetable preference and the Nutrition Quotient for Preschoolers (NQ-P) among children aged 3–5 years. Two hundred and forty-four children participated, and the data were analyzed using paired t-tests based on measurements taken before and after four nutrition education sessions. Overall, 51.6% of the children exhibited picky eating behaviors, characterized by slower eating speed, food neophobia, and a preference for limited food variety (p<0.001). The most commonly refused food groups were shellfish and vegetables. After the nutrition education, the vegetable preference improved significantly among children with picky eating behaviors (p<0.001), including increased preferences for broccoli (p<0.01), paprika (p<0.001), mushrooms (p<0.001), and radish (p<0.05). The total NQ-P score for all participating children was 61.5, with the practice domain score highest and the moderation domain score lowest. Following the nutrition education, the moderation domain scores increased significantly (p<0.05). Among picky-eating preschoolers, the total NQ-P scores (p<0.05) and practice domain scores (p<0.01) increased significantly after the nutrition education. These findings suggest that vegetable-focused nutrition education can improve dietary behaviors, particularly in preschool children with picky eating tendencies.

Abstract
I. 서 론
II. 연구 내용 및 방법
    1. 연구 대상 및 기간
    2. 설문조사
    3. 영양교육
    4. 통계분석
III. 결과 및 고찰
    1. 대상자의 일반적 특성
    2. 까다로운 식행동
    3. 채소 선호도
    4. 미취학 어린이 영양지수 (NQ-P)
IV. 요약 및 결론
Conflict of Interest
References

• 김희우(덕성여자대학교 식품영양학전공) | Hee U Kim (Department of Food and nutrition, Duksung Women’s university)
• 김경희(덕성여자대학교 식품영양학전공) | Kyung Hee Kim (Department of Food and nutrition, Duksung Women’s university) Corresponding author
• 염마영(도봉구･어린이사회복지급식관리지원센터) | Ma Young Yeom (Dobong-gu Center for Child and Social Welfare Foodservice Management)