scholarly journals Wellness in the Schools: A Lunch Intervention Increases Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3085
Author(s):  
Pamela A. Koch ◽  
Randi L. Wolf ◽  
Raynika J. Trent ◽  
Ian Yi Han Ang ◽  
Matthew Dallefeld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
School Lunch ◽  
Baseline Data ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Time Points

Wellness in the Schools (WITS) is a national non-profit organization partnering with public schools to provide healthy, scratch cooked, less processed meals (called an Alternative Menu), and active recess. This study examined the effects of WITS programming on school lunch consumption, including fruit and vegetable intake, in second and third grade students in New York City public schools serving a high proportion of students from low-income households. The intervention was evaluated with a quasi-experimental, controlled design with 14 elementary schools (7 that had initiated WITS programming in fall 2015 and were designated as intervention schools, and 7 matched Control schools). School lunch consumption was assessed by anonymous observation using the System of Observational Cafeteria Assessment of Foods Eaten (SOCAFE) tool in the fall of 2015 (Time 0, early intervention) and the spring of 2016 (Time 1) and 2017 (Time 2). There were no baseline data. Data were also collected on the types of entrées served in the months of October, January, and April during the two school years of the study. Across time points, and relative to students in the Control schools, students in WITS schools ate more fruits and vegetables (units = cups): Time 0: Control 0.18 vs. WITS 0.28; Time 1: Control 0.25 vs. WITS 0.31; and Time 2: Control 0.19 vs. WITS 0.27; p < 0.001. They also had more fruits and vegetables (cups) on their trays, which included more vegetables from the salad bar. However, students in the WITS schools ate fewer entrées (grain and protein) and drank less milk than students in the Control schools. Compared to the Control schools, WITS schools offered more homestyle entrées and fewer finger foods and sandwich entrees, i.e., less processed food. Students in WITS schools who received the Alternative menu and all of the WITS programming at all data collection time points selected and consumed more fruits and vegetables. Replication studies with randomized designs and true baseline data are needed to confirm these findings and to identify avenues for strengthening the effects of the program on other school lunch components.

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 Healthy eating: a matter of prioritisation by households or policymakers?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Joreintje Dingena Mackenbach
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Food System ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Abstract I reflect upon the potential reasons why American low-income households do not spend an optimal proportion of their food budgets on fruits and vegetables, even though this would allow them to meet the recommended levels of fruit and vegetable consumption. Other priorities than health, automatic decision-making processes and access to healthy foods play a role, but solutions for the persistent socio-economic inequalities in diet should be sought in the wider food system which promotes cheap, mass-produced foods. I argue that, ultimately, healthy eating is not a matter of prioritisation by individual households but by policymakers.

Abstract P070: The Relationship Between Weight and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, Assessed by Serum Carotenoids and Self-Report: Results from the PREMIER Trial

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie L Parker ◽  
Liwei Chen ◽  
Diane C Mitchell ◽  
Hsin-Chieh Yeh ◽  
Cheryl Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Average Intake ◽  
Serum Carotenoids ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Increased intake of fruits and vegetables (F/V) may protect against adiposity, but effects on weight have been inconsistent. Our objective was to examine the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and weight, using direct and indirect measures of dietary intake: self-reported 24-hour recall and serum carotenoid levels. Methods: Participants from the PREMIER lifestyle intervention trial were included in this analysis (n=554). Dietary measures included 24-hour dietary recalls and serum carotenoid levels, from a fasting blood sample. The outcome was weight in pounds. Nested linear mixed models were used to examine the association between F/V and weight. Results: Mean F/V increased from 4.6 (SD 2.4) to 5.6 (SD 3.2) (p=<.01), mean serum carotenoids increased from 53.2 (SD 31.9) to 68.1 (SD 42.5) (p=<.01). At 18 months, participants in the lowest quintile of fruit and vegetable change reported an average intake of 4.42.8 servings of fruits and vegetables, and those in the highest quintile of change reported an average intake of 7.73.2 servings. In a multivariate model adjusting for age, race, gender, intervention, energy, study site, and time, lower body weight was associated with higher F/V intake measured by dietary recall (−0.63 lbs, 95% CI −0.83 to −0.42, per 1 serving increase in F/V) and serum carotenoids (−0.13 lbs, 95% CI −0.15 to −0.11, per 1 ug/dl increase in carotenoids). Results were somewhat attenuated but consistent after additional adjustments for working heart rate, exercise, calories from sugar-sweetened beverages, marital and employment status, and alcohol use . Conclusions: Greater fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with decreased body weight. Results were consistent for both objective and self-reported measures of fruit and vegetable intake.

Nutritional value and health benefits of horticulture.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Bodily Function ◽  
Functional Components

Abstract Daily consumption of fruit and vegetables is encouraged as important for human health and nutrition because the vitamins, minerals, essential micronutrients, fibre, vegetable proteins and bio-functional components they provide are crucial for bodily function. The FAO/WHO expert consultation (2004) on diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases recommended a daily intake of 400 g (five portions) of fruits and vegetables (excluding potatoes and other starchy tubers) to prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. However, despite this recognition, world-wide per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables is estimated to be 20-50% short of the minimum recommended level. In 2013 an estimated 5.2 million deaths worldwide were attributable to inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Adhering to the WHO recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake can prevent morbidity and mortality caused by micronutrient deficiencies, birth defects, mental and physical retardation, weakened immune systems, blindness and even death. Improving the dietary diversity through horticulture-based food intake is an effective and sustainable approach to combating micronutrient malnutrition in both developed and developing countries (Kennedy et al., 2003).

scholarly journals Mother-Related Determinants of Children At-Home Fruit and Vegetable Dietary Patterns in a Polish National Sample

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Groele ◽  
Dominika Głąbska ◽  
Krystyna Gutkowska ◽  
Dominika Guzek
Keyword(s):  
Marital Status ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
At Home

Fruit and vegetable intake is indicated among the features of sustainable diets, while children’s intake is strongly associated with the intake of their parents, as well as the availability of food products and their accessibility at home. The aim of the study was to analyze the mother-related determinants of children at-home fruit and vegetable dietary patterns in a Polish national sample of children aged 3–10 years. The random quota sampling (with quotas for age, education, and place of residence) was conducted to recruit the national representative sample of Polish mothers of children aged 3–10 years (n = 1200) who were interviewed using a Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) method. They were asked about their children’s at-home fruit and vegetable dietary patterns, which were later compared in sub-groups that were stratified for age, educational background, marital status, place of residence, occupational status, and total net income in households. The indicated features, but not marital status, were indicated as determinants of children at-home fruit and vegetable dietary patterns. Children of younger mothers more often than others consumed fruits, whereas those of older mothers consumed vegetables. Children of mothers who had a lower level of education more commonly than others consumed fruits alone as a dish, and they had a higher preference for them, while those of mothers who had a higher level of education had a higher consumption of vegetables than others, although they had a medium preference for them. Children of mothers from villages had a lower consumption of vegetables and fruits than others, although they had a higher preference for fruits. Children of mothers with no professional job had a lower consumption of vegetables than others and more often consumed them processed, although they had a higher preference for fruits and vegetables. Children of mothers with low income had a lower consumption of vegetables than others and more often consumed fruits in a dish with other products, although they had a higher preference for fruits and vegetables. To summarize, an indication of a high preference for fruits and vegetables by mothers is not accompanied by the higher consumption and recommended dietary patterns for fruit and vegetable intake by their children. In particular, the sub-samples of mothers who had a low level of education, were from villages, did not have a professional job, and had low income may either overestimate the fruit and vegetable preference of their children or do not offer them sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables, although they indicate a higher preference. In order to encourage more sustainable diet following, in terms of the fruit and vegetable intake, it is essential to introduce actions toward the properly planned nutritional education for the indicated target groups.

scholarly journals The role of family variables in fruit and vegetable consumption in preschool children

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel L. Goldman ◽  
Cynthia L. Radnitz ◽  
Robert E. McGrath
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Parental Modeling ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Head Start Programs ◽  
Family Variables

<p>Most Americans, including children, continue to eat fewer fruits and vegetables than is recommended, putting themselves at increased risk of various health conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative importance of several family environment variables (food availability and accessibility, modeling of food consumption, parenting style, and family mealtime environment) for predicting children’s consumption of fruits and vegetables in a sample of low income minority preschool children. Two hundred and twenty nine primary caregivers and their preschool children were recruited from Head Start programs in New York and New Jersey. Caregivers consented, completed a battery of paper and pencil questionnaires, and had both their height and weight and their children’s height and weight measured. Higher availability, accessibility, and parental modeling were associated with higher consumptions of fruits and vegetables in children. Availability and accessibility were the best predictors, but parental modeling significantly enhanced prediction over the other variables.  Public health interventions should be geared toward helping poorer families increase the availability of fruits and vegetables in their homes, advising parents on how to make them accessible, and encouraging parents to model their consumption.</p>

scholarly journals Socio-economic differences in fruit and vegetable consumption among Australian adolescents and adults

2002 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 663-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina Giskes ◽  
Gavin Turrell ◽  
Carla Patterson ◽  
Beth Newman
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Annual Household Income ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
And Storage

AbstractObjectives:To determine whether socio-economic groups differ in their fruit and vegetable consumption, and the variety eaten, and whether socio-economic differences are similar for adolescents and adults. The study also examined whether socio-economic groups vary in their reported desire to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed, and the perceived barriers to achieving this.Design, setting and subjects: The 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey collected fruit and vegetable intake data from adolescents aged 13–17 years (n = 654) and adults 18–64 years (n = 7695) using a 24-hour dietary recall. Gross annual household income was used to measure socio-economic position.Results:Approximately 44% of males and 34% of females did not consume fruit in the 24 hours preceding the survey, and 20% of males and 17% of females did not consume vegetables. Among adolescents and adults, fruit and vegetable consumption was positively related to income. The only exception was vegetable consumption among adolescent males, which did not vary by income Lower-income adults consumed a smaller variety of fruits and vegetables than their higher-income counterparts. Fruit and vegetable variety did not vary by income among adolescents. Lower-income adults expressed less desire to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption, and were more likely to report that price and storage were barriers to doing so. Socio-economic differences in consumption and variety were more apparent for adults than for adolescents.Conclusions:In addition to increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables among the general population, nutrition interventions, programmes and policy aiming to improve diet should target adolescents and adults from low socio-economic groups. Strategies should address price and storage barriers.

scholarly journals Fruit and Vegetable Prescriptions for Pediatric Patients Living in Flint, Michigan: A Cross-Sectional Study of Food Security and Dietary Patterns at Baseline

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Saxe-Custack ◽  
Jenny LaChance ◽  
Mona Hanna-Attisha ◽  
Tiffany Ceja
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Maintenance

Though fruit and vegetable consumption is essential for disease prevention and health maintenance, intake among children fails to meet dietary recommendations. Limited access to and the affordability of fresh produce, particularly among low-income youth, are barriers to adequate intake. To address these challenges, researchers and pediatricians in Flint, Michigan, expanded a successful fruit and vegetable prescription program that provides one $15 prescription for fresh fruits and vegetables to every child at every office visit. Vendors include the downtown farmers’ market and a local mobile market. This study describes baseline characteristics, dietary patterns, food access, and food security among 261 caregiver–child dyads enrolled August 2018–March 2019. The child-reported mean daily intake of vegetables (0.72 cups ± 0.77), dairy products (1.33 cups ± 1.22), and whole grains (0.51 ounces ± 0.49) were well below recommendations. Furthermore, 53% of children and 49% of caregivers who completed the food security module indicated low or very low food security. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the child consumption of fruits and vegetables between households that reported high versus low food security (p > 0.05). Results validate and raise deep concerns about poor dietary patterns and food insecurity issues facing Flint children, many of whom continue to battle with an ongoing drinking water crisis. Additional poverty-mitigating efforts, such as fruit and vegetable prescription programs, are necessary to address these gaps.

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Krebs-Smith ◽  
Jerianne Heimendinger ◽  
Blossom H. Patterson ◽  
Amy F. Subar ◽  
Ronald Kessler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable

Purpose. This study examined the relationship between various psychosocial factors and fruit and vegetable consumption. Design. The 5 A Day Baseline Survey, conducted in August 1991, just before the initiation of the 5 A Day for Better Health Program, obtained data on adults' intakes of, and their knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes regarding, fruits and vegetables. Setting. The survey was conducted by telephone. Subjects. Subjects were 2811 adults (response rate, 43%) aged 18 years and older in the 48 coterminous United States. Measures. Fruit and vegetable intake was measured as self-reported frequency of use; most of the psychosocial variables were measured using Likert scales. Results. This study estimates that only 8% of American adults thought that five or more servings of fruits and vegetables were needed for good health. Of the factors studied, the most important in determining someone's fruit and vegetable intake were the number of servings they thought they should have in a day, whether they liked the taste, and whether they had been in the habit of eating many fruits and vegetables since childhood. These few factors accounted for 15% more of the variation in fruit and vegetable consumption than did demographic variables alone (8%). Conclusions. Nutrition education should stress the need to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day because few adults are aware of this recommendation and such knowledge is strongly associated with increased intake. Furthermore, efforts to increase the palatability of fruits and vegetables, especially among children, should be promoted.

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