Increasing the Fruit and Vegetable Consumption of Fourth-Graders: Results from the High 5 Project

Document Type

Article

Department

Community and Global Health (CGU)

Publication Date

2000

Disciplines

Biochemical Phenomena, Metabolism, and Nutrition | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Background. This study evaluated the effects of a school-based dietary intervention program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among fourth-graders.

Methods. Twenty-eight elementary schools were randomized to an immediate intervention condition or to a delayed intervention control condition. Measures of diet and psychosocial variables were collected at base line and 1 and 2 years post-baseline. The intervention included classroom, parent, and cafeteria components.

Results. Mean daily consumption of fruit and vegetables was higher for the intervention children compared with controls at Follow-up 1 (X0t = 3.96, Xc = 2.28) and at Follow-up 2 (Xt= 3.20, Xc = 2.21). Macro- and micronutrient changes favoring the intervention children were also observed at both Follow-up 1 and Follow-up 2. Mean daily consumption of fruit and vegetables was higher for intervention parents compared with controls at Follow-up 1 (Xt = 4.23, Xc = 3.94) but not at Follow-up 2.

Conclusions. Strong effects were found for the High 5 intervention on fruit and vegetable consumption, on macro- and micro-nutrients, and on psychosocial variables. Future work is needed to enhance the intervention effects on parents' consumption and to test the effectiveness of the intervention when delivered by classroom teachers.

Rights Information

© 2000 Elsevier

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