scholarly journals Can the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme Be an Effective Strategy Leading to Positive Changes in Children’s Eating Behaviours? Polish Evaluation Results

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12331
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Wolnicka ◽  
Anna Małgorzata Taraszewska ◽  
Joanna Jaczewska-Schuetz
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Effective Strategy ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Food Record ◽  
Fruit Consumption ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

Background: The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS) was developed to form the habit of eating fruit and vegetables (F&V) among children. The survey aimed to identify both the strengths of the scheme and areas that required support and strengthening in the further implementation of school schemes. Methods: The study was conducted from 2012 to 2015 among students of randomly selected 85 primary schools that participated in the programme (intervention group) or did not participate therein (control group). The F&V consumption among the students was evaluated based on the 3 day food record method. Other behaviours were evaluated via frequency and preference questionnaires. Results: Over the three years of implementing SFVS, fruit consumption significantly increased by approximately 30 g/day, i.e., by 18%. In the control group, it increased only by approximately 4%. At the same time, no increase in vegetable consumption was observed. A number of other positive effects of SFVS were also found. These concerned students’ nutritional attitudes and behaviours, such as a further increase in the children’s knowledge on the health aspects of F&V consumption, the levels of their consumption and an increased preference for fruit in general. Conclusions: The results indicate that providing F&V in schools free of charge can be an effective strategy for enhancing F&V consumption among children, in particular by raising the awareness of the health importance of F&V consumption and gradually influencing children’s eating habits, especially when it comes to the habit of fruit consumption. The issue of vegetable consumption is an area for intervention enhancement. There is also a need for further, in-depth analyses, taking into account the impact of potential confounding factors.

scholarly journals The European School Fruit Scheme: impact on children’s fruit and vegetable consumption in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 542-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Methner ◽  
Gesa Maschkowski ◽  
Monika Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
European School ◽  
Consumption Frequency ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of the European School Fruit Scheme (SFS) in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on children’s fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption, in particular frequency.DesignThe study consisted of a pre-test/post-test design with an intervention (eight primary schools) and a control group (two primary schools). Children’s F&V consumption frequency was measured prior to the introduction of the SFS in 2010 and after one year’s delivery of F&V (2011).SettingTen primary schools in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.SubjectsIn total, 499 primary-school children aged 6–11 years, 390 in the intervention and 109 in the control schools.ResultsChildren highly appreciated the SFS. More than 90 % evaluated the programme positively. Children in the intervention group showed a significant increase in F&V intake frequency from baseline to follow-up, from on average 1·26 (sd1·37) to 2·02 (sd1·33) times/d (P=0·000). The intervention variable had a highly significant impact on children’s F&V consumption frequency, even after controlling for gender, age and stay at school for lunch (β=0·773; 95 % CI 0·59, 0·96). The SFS did not induce a reduction of F&V consumption at home. In the control group a non-significant decline in F&V consumption frequency from 1·31 (sd1·26) to 1·18 (sd1·34) times/d (P=0·325) was observed.ConclusionOne year after the programme’s implementation, the SFS led to a significant short-term increase in children’s F&V consumption.

scholarly journals Healthy Planet, Healthy Youth: A Food Systems Education and Promotion Intervention to Improve Adolescent Diet Quality and Reduce Food Waste

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Pflugh Prescott ◽  
Xanna Burg ◽  
Jessica Jarick Metcalfe ◽  
Alexander E. Lipka ◽  
Cameron Herritt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Science Teachers ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Plate Waste ◽  
The Impact

Emerging evidence suggests a link between young people’s interest in alternative food production practices and dietary quality. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a student-driven sustainable food systems education and promotion intervention on adolescent school lunch selection, consumption, and waste behaviors. Sixth grade science teachers at two middle schools (n = 268 students) implemented a standards-based curriculum on sustainable food systems, addressing the environmental impacts of food choices and food waste. The cumulating curriculum activity required the 6th grade students to share their food systems knowledge with their 7th and 8th grade counterparts (n = 426) through a cafeteria promotional campaign to discourage food waste. School-wide monthly plate waste assessments were used to evaluate changes in vegetable consumption and overall plate waste using a previously validated digital photography method. At baseline, the intervention students consumed significantly less vegetables relative to the control group (47.1% and 71.8% of vegetables selected, respectively (p = 0.006). This disparity was eliminated after the intervention with the intervention group consuming 69.4% and the control consuming 68.1% of selected vegetables (p = 0.848). At five months follow up, the intervention group wasted significantly less salad bar vegetables compared to the control group (24.2 g and 50.1 g respectively (p = 0.029). These findings suggest that food systems education can be used to promote improved dietary behaviors among adolescent youth.

scholarly journals Community-based culinary and nutrition education intervention promotes fruit and vegetable consumption

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Jessica Jarick Metcalfe ◽  
Melissa Pflugh Prescott ◽  
Melissa Schumacher ◽  
Caitlin Kownacki ◽  
Jennifer McCaffrey
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Cooking Classes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Market to MyPlate (M2MP) program on fruit and vegetable consumption and cooking behaviours. Secondary objectives were to examine factors that affected participant retention and program completion, and analyse program feedback provided by participants. Design: This study conducted a mixed methods evaluation embedded within a cluster randomised controlled trial of the M2MP intervention. Adult participants completed a pre- and post-program survey reporting on their fruit and vegetable consumption and cooking behaviours. A subsample participated in structured interviews, providing feedback about M2MP and the impact of the program. Setting: Seven weekly classes took place in community centres and extension offices in central Illinois. Participants: 120 adults and their families participated. Class cohorts were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (1) nutrition education and cooking classes with produce allocations (PAE, n 39); (2) nutrition education and cooking classes only (EO, n 36) or (3) control group (n 45). Results: Compared to control, PAE participants reported larger increases from pre- to post-intervention in fruit (P = 0·001) and vegetable consumption (P = 0·002), with no differences in cooking frequency. Interview analyses identified key themes in behaviour changes due to M2MP, including reported increases in dietary variety, cooking self-efficacy and children’s participation in cooking. Conclusions: PAE participants who received an intervention that directly increased their access to fresh produce (via produce allocations) increased their reported fruit and vegetable consumption. Though participants’ cooking frequency did not change, interviewees reported increased variety, cooking confidence and family participation in cooking.

scholarly journals Nutrition information system (SISFORNUTRIMIL) application With Online Food Record for Indonesia Pregnant Women: Protocol for Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mira Trisyani Koeryaman ◽  
Saseendran Pallikadavath ◽  
Isobel Ryder ◽  
Ngianga Kandala
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Food Record ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The pregnant women and family may not have the necessary knowledge and skills to estimate nutrient value in food in line with dietary targets and the guidelines, i.e. they do not know whether or not they are consuming the right amount of nutrition needed during pregnancy. The aims of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to examine the impact of SISFORNUTRIMIL application on maternal eating behaviour and associated maternal factors such as weight gain, blood pressure, biochemical measurement, and pregnancy outcome.Methods: The study recruits 112 participants with eligible criteria during December 2019 to January 2020. The allocation of participants is 1:1 to the SISFORNUTRIMIL application user and non-user application, with criteria: singleton pregnancy (22-26 weeks), mother age between 20-35 years), have monthly income and literate. Both groups will receive 12-week standard health services from health professionals and received information about dietary diversity and food record. Particularly, intervention group could be access the SISFORNUTRIMIL on their devices, which provide necessary information about nutrition in pregnancy, food record and food choice includes total serving size calculation. In contrast, the control group only receive food information and food intake record by paper-based, and they should record and calculate the nutrition intake by traditionally. Discussion: This is the first randomized controlled trial to examine the SISFORNUTIMIL application. This mandate reflects keen interest and motivation for the proposed research study. This is in addition to the researcher’s personal efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality rate as well as a general focus on pregnancy complication prevention than nutrition treatment. Thus, an investigation of eating behaviour and associated maternal needed to address this issue. Firstly, the results could extend the scope of knowledge about nutrition intervention to include the Indonesia pregnant women context as well as the Indonesia health ministry context. Secondly, this research could help to change individual health behaviour and activity undertaken by an individual who believes her-self to be healthy.Trial registration: ISRCTN Registry: ISRCTN42690828. Date of registration: 22 October 2019.

scholarly journals Increasing children's lunchtime consumption of fruit and vegetables: an evaluation of the Food Dudes programme

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1066-1072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Upton ◽  
Penney Upton ◽  
Charlotte Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Further Development

AbstractObjectivesAlthough previous research has shown that the Food Dudes programme increases children's fruit and vegetable consumption at school, there has been limited evaluation of the extent to which changes are maintained in the long term. Furthermore, despite knowledge that the nutritional content of home-supplied meals is lower than that of school-supplied meals, little consideration has been given to the programme's impact on meals provided from home. The present study therefore assessed the long-term effectiveness of the Food Dudes programme for both school- and home-supplied lunches.DesignTwo cohorts of children participated, one receiving the Food Dudes intervention and a matched control group who did not receive any intervention. Consumption of fruit and vegetables was assessed pre-intervention, then at 3 and 12 months post-intervention. Consumption was measured across five consecutive days in each school using weighed intake (school-provided meals) and digital photography (home-provided meals).SettingFifteen primary schools, six intervention (n 1282) and seven control schools (n 1151).SubjectsParticipants were children aged 4–11 years.ResultsA significant increase in the consumption of fruit and vegetables was found at 3 months for children in the intervention schools, but only for those eating school-supplied lunches. However, increases were not maintained at 12 months.ConclusionsThe Food Dudes programme has a limited effect in producing even short-term changes in children's fruit and vegetable consumption at lunchtime. Further development work is required to ensure the short- and long-term effectiveness of interventions promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in children such as the Food Dudes programme.

scholarly journals Findings From the EASY Minds Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial: Evaluation of a Physical Activity Integration Program for Mathematics in Primary Schools

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Riley ◽  
David R. Lubans ◽  
Kathryn Holmes ◽  
Philip J Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intervention Effects ◽  
Integration Program ◽  
School Day ◽  
Mathematics Program ◽  
The Impact

Background:To evaluate the impact of a primary school-based physical activity (PA) integration program delivered by teachers on objectively measured PA and key educational outcomes.Methods:Ten classes from 8 Australian public schools were randomly allocated to treatment conditions. Teachers from the intervention group were taught to embed movement-based learning in their students’ (n = 142) daily mathematics program in 3 lessons per week for 6 weeks. The control group (n = 98) continued its regular mathematics program. The primary outcome was accelerometer-determined PA across the school day. Linear mixed models were used to analyze treatment effects.Results:Significant intervention effects were found for PA across the school day (adjusted mean difference 103 counts per minute [CPM], 95% confidence interval [CI], 36.5–169.7, P = .008). Intervention effects were also found for PA (168 CPM, 95% CI, 90.1–247.4, P = .008) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (2.6%, 95% CI, 0.9–4.4, P = .009) in mathematics lessons, sedentary time across the school day (–3.5%, 95% CI, –7.0 to –0.13, P = .044) and during mathematics (–8.2%, CI, –13.0 to –2.0, P = .010) and on-task behavior (13.8%, 95% CI, 4.0–23.6, P = .011)—but not for mathematics performance or attitude.Conclusion:Integrating movement across the primary mathematics syllabus is feasible and efficacious.

scholarly journals An exploratory cluster randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of training for teachers upon children’s motor competency outcomes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Mann ◽  
Alex Lucas ◽  
Matthew Wade ◽  
Jack Shakespeare ◽  
Emily Budzynski-Seymour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Training ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Literacy Assessment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: Primary school Physical Education (PE) teachers often do not possess the knowledge to sufficiently develop motor competency. This study presents an exploratory cluster randomised controlled trial that examined a teacher training programme, specifically motor competency PE delivery, in primary schools. Methods: Participants were children (n=136) aged 5-7 years, from eight primary schools (nine classes) located in Buckinghamshire, England. Measures were adapted from the Canadian ‘Physical Literacy Assessment for Youth’ methodology, including locomotion, throwing, kicking, and balancing. Pre-post measures were collected six months apart during the same academic year. A wait-list control group received no intervention. Results: Motor competency improved for both groups, yet analysis showed that the changes were not significantly different between groups. However, there was a tendency for greater effect and interval estimates [95% confidence intervals] in the intervention group across most variables. Conclusion: Teacher training may at best produce a small improvement in children’s motor competency. However, future research should test this with larger more powerful research designs.

scholarly journals Positive Effects of Workplace Meditation Training and Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Leila Karimi ◽  
Stephen P Kent ◽  
Sandra G. Leggat ◽  
Jiri Rada ◽  
Alison Angleton
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

There is evidence that meditation is a powerful organisational tool for enhancing employee effectiveness, wellbeing, and job satisfaction; however, experimental studies on the effects of meditation on other organisational factors such as presenteeism and emotional intelligence are limited. This study investigated the impact of meditation on mindfulness, emotional intelligence, job satisfaction, and job stress-related presenteeism in an Australian workplace. Participants learned and practised an 'Auto Transcending Meditation Technique’ (ATMT) at their workplace. The study used the switching replications experimental design, comparing an intervention group with a control group. Quantitative data analysis used descriptive statistics and repeated measures to compare the mean pre-post intervention differences. Thematic analysis was completed on qualitative data gathered in focus groups and from the training evaluation. As a consequence of ATMT, participants showed significant improvements in their levels of mindfulness and emotional intelligence. Thematic analysis indicated that participants felt the meditation training and practice led to positive personal changes. In addition, the results showed that higher mindfulness buffers the effect of stress-related presenteeism on participants’ mental and physical health. Our results demonstrate that meditation training and practice enhances mindfulness and emotional intelligence, with benefits for employees’ physical and mental health.  Workplace meditation should be considered in health promoting work settings.  

scholarly journals Fingerfoods: a clustered-randomized feasibility study to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption in Dutch patients with dementia in a nursing home

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemijn Visscher ◽  
Marieke CE Battjes-Fries ◽  
Ondine van de Rest ◽  
Olga N Patijn ◽  
Mascha van der Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Regular Diet

Abstract Background Eating problems are highly prevalent in older patients with dementia and as a consequence, patients are at greater risk of becoming malnourished. Fingerfoods, snacks that can be picked with thumb and forefinger, could be used to counteract malnutrition in patients with dementia. The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate whether providing fingerfoods as snacks was feasible for both patients with dementia and caregivers. Secondary objectives were to explore the effects of fingerfoods on total fruit and vegetable consumption, nutritional status and quality of life. MethodsInstitutionalised patients with dementia ( N = 22, 86% female, mean age = 85 years) were included in this clustered randomized controlled feasibility trial in the Netherlands. The intervention group ( N = 15) received their regular diet supplemented with fingerfoods, comprising quiches and cakes rich in fruit or vegetables, for 6 weeks. The control group ( N = 7) received their regular diet. Daily fingerfood consumption of patients and attitude of caregivers towards the fingerfoods were recorded to measure feasibility of the intervention. Fruit and vegetable consumption (3-day food records), nutritional status (body mass index (BMI) and SNAQ rc scores) and quality of life (QoL) (QUALIDEM) were measured in the first and last intervention week. The effects of fingerfoods on these outcomes were analysed with paired t-tests, Chi-square tests and ANCOVA. Results Patients consumed on average 70 grams of fingerfoods daily, containing 41 grams of fruit/vegetables. The intervention was rated as positive by 58% of the caregivers. Changes in fruit and vegetable consumption, malnutrition risk and QoL scores during the study period did not significantly change in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion This feasibility study showed that providing fingerfoods to patients with dementia seems feasible for both patients and caregivers and could provide a pragmatic approach to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption in institutionalized elderly. In future research, long-term effects of fingerfoods should be studied on larger scale to confirm these findings. Trial Registration: Requested.

scholarly journals Impact of permagarden intervention on improving fruit and vegetable intake among vulnerable groups. A quasi-experimental study conducted in seven cities of Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fikralem Alemu ◽  
Medhanit Mecha ◽  
Girmaye Medhin
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Percentage Difference ◽  
Vulnerable Families ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing nutrient intake through home gardening is a sustainable strategy that can address multiple micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries. This study investigated the impact of permagarden intervention in increasing the frequency and diversity of vegetable and fruit consumption among vulnerable families.MethodA quasi-experimental study was conducted from August 10 to September 30, 2015. A total of 884 care givers (427 from intervention and 457 control) participated in the study. Data was collected through face to face interview with caregivers of highly vulnerable children. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted using STATA software, and the program impact on the frequency and diversity of household’s vegetable consumption between intervention and control groups was assessed using chi square test.ResultIntervention participants had a 13% greater increase frequency of one-week vegetables and fruits consumption compared with control participants (p<0.01). The diversity (consumption of 2 and more groups of vegetable and fruit) is higher among intervention groups than control groups (percentage difference=9, p-value<0.05). A significant higher percentage of participants in the intervention group reported getting the one-week vegetable and fruits mainly from their own garden (percentage difference 58.3, p<0.05). A significantly larger proportion of participants in the intervention group compared to the control group reported “high likelihood” on intention to grow vegetable in the future (percentage difference = 30%, and P<0.01). Perceived importance to include vegetables in every day meal is higher among intervention groups than control groups (percentage difference = 11.5%, P<0.01).ConclusionsThe observed higher frequency and diversity of household vegetable consumption among intervention group compared to control group suggests that nutrition and health programs need to promote household vegetable gardening as the means for address improve micro nutrient intake for vulnerable societies in least and middle developed countries.

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