The Effectiveness of A School-Based Nutrition Intervention on Children's Fruit, Vegetables, and Dairy Product Intake

J Sch Health. 2016 May;86(5):353-62. doi: 10.1111/josh.12385.

Abstract

Background: Most Canadian children do not meet daily recommendations for consumption of vegetables and fruits (V/F) and dairy products (DP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Team Nutriathlon on V/F and DP consumption of children.

Methods: Participants were 404 children from grades 5 and 6 (intervention group [IG] N = 242, control group [CG] N = 162). Teams of children were guided to increase their consumption and variety of V/F and DP over an 8-week period. Daily servings of V/F and DP were compared between groups at 4 time points: baseline (week 0), during (week 6), immediately after (week 9 or 10), and a follow-up 10 weeks after (week 20) the intervention.

Results: During and after the program and at follow-up, children in the IG consumed more servings of V/F and DP compared to the CG (group × time, p < .0001). Sex, baseline consumption levels, and school socioeconomic status did not influence the results (p > .05).

Conclusions: Team Nutriathlon is an innovative school-based nutrition program that can help to increase the V/F and DP consumption of children.

Keywords: children; dairy products; fruits and vegetables; school-based nutrition intervention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Canada
  • Child
  • Dairy Products
  • Diet, Healthy*
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Program Evaluation
  • School Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Vegetables