Did Prior Participation in Food Dudes Help Kids Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Under the New NSLP Standards?

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess FV intake of children before and after the new standards for school meals were implemented (fall 2012) in schools that were participating in a school-wide intervention designed to increase FV intake.Design, Setting and ParticipantsParticipants were 928 children in grades 1-5 at two elementary schools that participated in a FV intervention study (Food Dudes) in 2011-2012; one school served as a control. FV intake was assessed on three consecutive days in fall of 2011 (prior to the intervention program and new NSLP standards) and in fall of 2012 and spring of 2013 (after the intervention program and implementation of new NSLP standards).Outcome Measures and AnalysisFV intake was assessed using digital observation of FV selected and discarded at lunch.ResultsThe average amount of FV consumed per day during fall of 2011 was 0.35 cups (SD 0.31). Average FV consumption decreased from fall 2011 to fall 2012 in the control school, yet increased in the intervention school (p<0.001). From fall 2012 to spring 2013, consumption continued to increase in the intervention school and remained stable in the control school (p<0.001).Conclusions and ImplicationsChildren’s response to the new nutrition standards was more favorable among children who had previously received an intervention that increased the variety and amount of FV that children were consuming at school. Additional measures may be needed to encourage children to consume the amount and variety of FV now being served as part of school meals meeting SNLP reimbursement standards.FundingUSDA. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess FV intake of children before and after the new standards for school meals were implemented (fall 2012) in schools that were participating in a school-wide intervention designed to increase FV intake. The objective of this study was to assess FV intake of children before and after the new standards for school meals were implemented (fall 2012) in schools that were participating in a school-wide intervention designed to increase FV intake. Design, Setting and ParticipantsParticipants were 928 children in grades 1-5 at two elementary schools that participated in a FV intervention study (Food Dudes) in 2011-2012; one school served as a control. FV intake was assessed on three consecutive days in fall of 2011 (prior to the intervention program and new NSLP standards) and in fall of 2012 and spring of 2013 (after the intervention program and implementation of new NSLP standards). Participants were 928 children in grades 1-5 at two elementary schools that participated in a FV intervention study (Food Dudes) in 2011-2012; one school served as a control. FV intake was assessed on three consecutive days in fall of 2011 (prior to the intervention program and new NSLP standards) and in fall of 2012 and spring of 2013 (after the intervention program and implementation of new NSLP standards). Outcome Measures and AnalysisFV intake was assessed using digital observation of FV selected and discarded at lunch. FV intake was assessed using digital observation of FV selected and discarded at lunch. ResultsThe average amount of FV consumed per day during fall of 2011 was 0.35 cups (SD 0.31). Average FV consumption decreased from fall 2011 to fall 2012 in the control school, yet increased in the intervention school (p<0.001). From fall 2012 to spring 2013, consumption continued to increase in the intervention school and remained stable in the control school (p<0.001). The average amount of FV consumed per day during fall of 2011 was 0.35 cups (SD 0.31). Average FV consumption decreased from fall 2011 to fall 2012 in the control school, yet increased in the intervention school (p<0.001). From fall 2012 to spring 2013, consumption continued to increase in the intervention school and remained stable in the control school (p<0.001). Conclusions and ImplicationsChildren’s response to the new nutrition standards was more favorable among children who had previously received an intervention that increased the variety and amount of FV that children were consuming at school. Additional measures may be needed to encourage children to consume the amount and variety of FV now being served as part of school meals meeting SNLP reimbursement standards. Children’s response to the new nutrition standards was more favorable among children who had previously received an intervention that increased the variety and amount of FV that children were consuming at school. Additional measures may be needed to encourage children to consume the amount and variety of FV now being served as part of school meals meeting SNLP reimbursement standards.