scholarly journals A cluster-randomised controlled trial of a school-based fruit and vegetable intervention: Project Tomato

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1073-1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte EL Evans ◽  
Joan K Ransley ◽  
Meaghan S Christian ◽  
Darren C Greenwood ◽  
James D Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
School Based

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to determine whether a multi-component school-based intervention can maintain children's fruit and vegetable intake post eligibility for free school fruit and vegetables.DesignA random sample of fifty-four English primary schools was randomised to receive the 10-month intervention Project Tomato, a multi-component theory-based intervention, or the control. Each group consisted of twenty-seven schools.SettingChildren's intake of fruit and vegetables is below recommendations. The English School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme has a short-term impact on intake while children are eligible for the scheme.SubjectsDietary measurements were collected from 658 Year 2 pupils aged 7–8 years at baseline and at follow-up 20 months later.ResultsFollowing an intention to treat analysis, the intervention as delivered compared with the control had no impact on the intake of fruit and vegetables (2 g/d, 95 % CI −23, 26 g/d) or on the number of portions of fruit (0·0 portions, 95 % CI −0·3, 0·3) or vegetables (0·0 portions, 95 % CI −0·2, 0·3) consumed daily by children. Intake of fruit and vegetables at school and home dropped by ∼100 g/d and 50 g/d, respectively, between baseline and follow-up in both the intervention and control groups.ConclusionsImplementation of the intervention was low, with associated lack of impact on fruit and vegetable consumption in children. Alternatives to the delivery of an intervention by teachers and parents are needed to improve the dietary intake of primary-school children.

scholarly journals Impact evaluation of the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Programme – a cluster-randomised controlled trial

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2199-2208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meizi He ◽  
Charlene Beynon ◽  
Michelle Sangster Bouck ◽  
Renée St Onge ◽  
Susan Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Impact Evaluation ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cluster Randomised ◽  
Randomised Controlled

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this impact evaluation was to measure the influence of a government of Ontario, Canada health promotion initiative, the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Programme (NFVPP), on elementary school-aged children’s psychosocial variables regarding fruit and vegetables, and fruit and vegetable consumption patterns.DesignA cluster-randomised controlled trial design was used. The NFVPP consisted of three intervention arms: (i) Intervention I: Free Fruit and Vegetable Snack (FFVS) + Enhanced Nutrition Education; (ii) Intervention II: FFVS-alone; and (iii) Control group. Using the Pro-Children Questionnaire, the primary outcome measure was children’s fruit and vegetable consumption, and the secondary outcome measures included differences in children’s awareness, knowledge, self-efficacy, preference, intention and willingness to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.Setting/SubjectsTwenty-six elementary schools in a defined area of Northern Ontario were eligible to participate in the impact evaluation. A final sample size of 1277 students in grades five to eight was achieved.ResultsIntervention I students consumed more fruit and vegetables at school than their Control counterparts by 0·49 serving/d (P < 0·05). Similarly, Intervention II students consumed more fruit and vegetables at school than Control students by 0·42 serving/d, although this difference was not statistically significant. Among students in both intervention groups, preferences for certain fruit and vegetables shifted from ‘never tried it’ towards ‘like it’.ConclusionsThe NFVPP resulted in positive changes in elementary school-aged children’s fruit and vegetable consumption at school, and favourable preference changes for certain fruit and vegetables.

scholarly journals Process evaluation of a cluster randomised controlled trial of a school-based fruit and vegetable intervention: Project Tomato

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meaghan S Christian ◽  
Charlotte EL Evans ◽  
Joan K Ransley ◽  
Darren C Greenwood ◽  
James D Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Main Meal

AbstractObjectiveThe present analysis evaluates the overall appreciation and implementation of an intervention, Project Tomato, designed to maintain fruit and vegetable intake in children aged 8–9 years.DesignA random sample of fifty-four English primary schools (658 children) were randomised to either the intervention group or the control. The intervention group received a multi-component programme delivered in school by teachers and items sent home for parents/children. Dietary measurements were collected at baseline and follow-up. The intervention participants completed questionnaires on the intervention materials, to identify implementation and appreciation of the intervention, and other environmental mechanisms.SettingFifty-four primary schools were randomly selected, with twenty-seven schools allocated to the intervention group.SubjectsA total of 311 children received the intervention.ResultsImplementation of the intervention was low, 21·3 % of school items and 56·0 % of home items were implemented. The intervention materials were well received by teachers, parents and children. Other mechanisms that may affect fruit and vegetable intake were explored. Children who ate their main meal with their parents 3–7 nights/week on average consumed 37·6 (95 % CI 9·8, 65·4) g more fruit and vegetables than children who ate with their parents 0–2 times/week.ConclusionsImplementation of the trial components was poor. However, the results identified the importance of parental environment and mealtime structure on children's fruit and vegetable intake.

scholarly journals Associations between self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption and home availability of fruit and vegetables among Greek primary-school children

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1142-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Koui ◽  
Russell Jago
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Home Availability

AbstractObjectiveTo examine whether the self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption of Greek primary-school children is associated with the home availability of fruit and vegetables.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingFive primary schools in the city of Pyrgos in south-west Greece.SubjectsOne hundred and sixty-seven students in fifth and sixth grades.MethodsFruit and vegetable consumption was assessed using an FFQ. Home availability of fruit and vegetables was assessed using a modified version of a US home availability questionnaire. Participant BMI was assessed and parental education obtained by self-report. Hierarchical regression models that took account of the clustering of participants in schools were used to examine the relationship between consumption and availability after controlling for parental education and BMI.ResultsRegression analyses showed that home availability of fruit was a significant predictor of consumption (β= 0·524,Z= 9·77,P< 0·001) in a model that explained 46 % of the overall variance. Home availability of vegetables was a significant predictor of vegetable intake (β= 0·378,Z= 6·23,P< 0·001) in a model that explained 29 % of the overall variance.ConclusionHome availability of fruit and vegetables was associated with consumption among Greek primary-school children. The association between home availability of fruit and intake was higher than the associations that have been reported in other samples. Results support focusing on the home availability of fruit and vegetables as a potential mediator of consumption that could be manipulated as a means of increasing fruit and vegetable intake among children.

Analysing capabilities and resources used to incorporate fruit and vegetables into the family diet: findings from an Australian case study

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Samantha B Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Organizational Skills ◽  
Australian Case ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Conducting Research

Research attributes low fruit and vegetable consumption to problems of access, availability and affordability. We conducted, for the first time, a case study with three families designed and analysed using the sustainable Livelihoods Framework. The benefit of such an approach is that we moved away from identified barriers and towards identifying the capabilities and resources low-income families use to incorporate fruit and vegetables into their diets. Mitigating cost and access, we provided families with a box of fresh fruit and vegetables free of charge for up to 10 weeks and observed and recorded how/if the contents were used. Results identify the importance of social networking, organizational skills, knowledge of health benefits, and social structures. This paper demonstrates an effective methodology for understanding the capabilities of, rather than barriers to, low-income families increasing fruit and vegetable intake. Additionally, we provide a ‘how to’ and ‘lessons from the field’ for researchers interested in conducting research of this nature.

scholarly journals Fruit and vegetable intake in Austrian adults: intake frequency, serving sizes, reasons for and barriers to consumption, and potential for increasing consumption

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Schätzer ◽  
Petra Rust ◽  
Ibrahim Elmadfa
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Postal Questionnaire ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Serving Sizes

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the intake frequency of fruit and vegetables, serving sizes, reasons for and barriers to consumption, and the potential for increasing fruit and vegetable intake.DesignA nationwide postal questionnaire survey was conducted in 2006 over all four seasons. The participants were stratified according to occupation and sex. The response rate for 5130 questionnaires sent out was 52·7 %.SettingAustria.SubjectsAustrian adults, aged 19–64 years.ResultsDaily fruit consumption was reported by 57·1 % of the participants and daily vegetable consumption by 36·2 %. On average, 2·1 (sd 1·9) servings (250 (sd 225) g) of fruit and 1·7 (sd 1·3) servings (198 (sd 159) g) of vegetables were consumed daily. Women ate fruit and vegetables both more frequently and in greater quantities than men. Both intake frequency and the number of fruit and vegetable servings were largely independent of seasonal fluctuations. The primary reason for the consumption of both fruit and vegetables was taste. The greatest barrier to higher intake was the perception that current individual consumption was already sufficient. Price did not constitute a relevant barrier in Austria. At present, the potential for increasing fruit and vegetable intake can be estimated at two servings.ConclusionsAustrian adults still consume less fruit and vegetables than recommended. Strategies to increase intake should pay more attention to the taste instead of the various health aspects.

scholarly journals Effect of a fruit and vegetable subscription in Danish schools

2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Eriksen ◽  
Jóhanna Haraldsdóttir ◽  
Robert Pederson ◽  
Hanne Vig Flyger
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Dietary Assessment ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Total Food Intake ◽  
School Day ◽  
24 Hour Recall ◽  
Design And Methods

AbstractObjective:To measure the effect of a school fruit and vegetable subscription on children's intake of fruit and vegetables after 5 weeks of intervention.Setting:Seven primary schools in Denmark.Design and methods: Intervention schools (n = 4) were offered a fruit and vegetable subscription comprising one piece per day. Control schools (n = 3) situated in another municipality were not offered the subscription. Intake of fruit and vegetables was measured at baseline and 5 weeks after the start of the subscription. Two methods were used for dietary assessment: a pre-coded 24-hour recall form including total food intake and a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) including only fruit and vegetables.Subjects:Children aged 6–10 years (n = 804 from intervention schools and n = 689 from control schools). Response rate in the dietary assessment was 31%.Results:At intervention schools 45% of the children enrolled in the subscription. After 5 weeks of intervention, both subscribers and non-subscribers had increased their intake of fruit by 0.4 (P = 0.019) and 0.3 (P = 0.008) pieces per school day, respectively, but no change was observed in vegetable intake. Total intake increased only for non-subscribers by 0.4 piece/school day (P = 0.008), mainly due to the consistent increase in fruit intake. No change in intake was measured at control schools. Only the 24-hour recall questionnaire was sensitive enough to pick up the changes of the subscription, whereas the FFQ was not.Conclusion:Five weeks with the subscription affected both subscribers and non-subscribers to increase intake of fruit. This may indicate that the subscription had an additional effect of stimulating parents of non-subscribers to supply their children with fruit. The results stress the importance of evaluating the effect of this type of programme, and the carefulness needed in designing the evaluation study.

scholarly journals Demographic, familial and trait predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption by pre-school children

2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
L J Cooke ◽  
J Wardle ◽  
EL Gibson ◽  
M Sapochnik ◽  
A Sheiham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Fruit Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Neophobia ◽  
Early Introduction

AbstractObjective:To examine the contribution to fruit and vegetable eating in children of potential predictive variables within the domains of demographics, parental feeding practices and personality traits.Design:Cross-sectional survey.Setting:Questionnaires were distributed to parents through 22 London nursery schools.Subjects:Questionnaires were completed and returned by 564 parents or principal caregivers of 2–6-year-old children.Results:Significant predictors of children's fruit and vegetable intake emerged from all three domains examined. Demographic variables associated with child's vegetable consumption were mother's education and child's age and gender. Only ethnicity was significantly associated with fruit consumption. Parental consumption, breast-feeding and early introduction to fruit and vegetables were related to intake of both. Family mealtimes were associated with higher intake of vegetables, but not of fruit. Two characteristics of children themselves (food neophobia and enjoyment of food) were strongly related to the consumption of fruit and vegetables. Subsequent multivariate analyses revealed that parental intake and child food neophobia independently predicted intake of both foods. In the presence of these, fruit consumption was affected by breast-feeding and early introduction to fruit, whereas vegetable consumption was related only to child's gender and enjoyment of food.Conclusions:These findings may be used to inform future interventions aimed at increasing children's consumption of fruit and vegetables. Parents should be made aware of the possible impact of their own behaviour on the eating habits of their children.

Effects of a comprehensive fruit- and vegetable-promoting school-based intervention in three European countries: the Pro Children Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 893-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. te Velde ◽  
J. Brug ◽  
M. Wind ◽  
C. Hildonen ◽  
M. Bjelland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
First Year ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Intervention Effects ◽  
School Based ◽  
Sustained Effects ◽  
Multilevel Linear Regression

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the Pro Children intervention on schoolchildren's fruit and vegetable (FV) intake after 1 and 2 years of follow-up. The intervention combined a FV curriculum with efforts to improve FV availability at schools and at home. Effects were examined in a group-randomised trial among 1472 10–11-year-old children from sixty-two schools in Norway, the Netherlands and Spain. FV intake was assessed by means of validated self-administered questionnaires completed before the intervention (September 2003), immediately after the first year of the intervention (May 2004) and 1 year later (May 2005). Data were analysed using multilevel linear regression analyses with age and sex as covariates. Significant intervention effects for FV intake were found at first follow-up in the total sample. The adjusted FV intake reported by the children from intervention schools was 20 % higher than FV intake reported by children from control schools. At 1 year later, a significant impact was only observed in Norway. Positive intervention effects on FV intake occurred both at school and outside school. We conclude that the Pro Children intervention is a promising means to promote European schoolchildren's FV intakes, but mainly fruit intake, in the short term. As shown in Norway, where the intervention was best implemented, the intervention might also result in longer-term effects. Further strategies need to be developed that can improve implementation, have an impact on vegetable intake and can secure sustained effects.

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