A pilot study of a school lunchroom intervention in a predominantly Latinx sample

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the feasibility of an environmental school lunchroom intervention ('Smarter Lunchrooms') and test initial efficacy within a predominantly Latinx population.

Design: We collected baseline and intervention lunchroom food consumption and waste data in a pre-post, single group design. Meal consumption data was analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research software to obtain estimates of nutritional content.

Main outcome measures: Feasibility.

Secondary measures: Plate Waste, Nutrient Intake.

Results: Participants were 88 1st-4th graders (51% female; 77% Latinx). Our recruitment rate was 45%, we were able to implement 8 Smarter Lunchroom strategies, and we were able to collect 82 baseline plate photos (93%) and 80 intervention photos (90%) of school lunches. On average, students threw away more than half of their meals on both days. Fruit consumption and fiber per 1000 kcal were significantly poorer at intervention compared to baseline.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight challenges in collecting consumption data in a real-world setting. We describe directions for future research taking into consideration our "lessons learned" from this formative work.

Keywords: Behavioral economics; Childhood obesity; Fruit and vegetables; Latinx; Plate waste.