The Short- and Long-term Effectiveness of the WhyDairy? School-based Nutrition Education Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Megan Racey,Genevieve Newton,Andrew Mckenney,William Albabish,Emma E Sypes ,David Wosnick

doi:10.2174/1874288201913010016

Abstract

Background:Despite the known health benefits of dairy products, their daily consumption continues to decline in many populations, particularly in pre-adolescents and adolescents.Objective:The primary objective of the cluster randomized controlled trial was to assess whether a school-based intervention enhanced with a web-based component, known as WhyDairy? was more effective than a standardized dairy education program at changing: (i) knowledge of dairy products, (ii) intentions to consume dairy products, and (iii) dietary intake of dairy products.Methods:Grade 7 students (n=175) in 10 Southwestern Ontario schools were randomized by the school, into intervention or control. Intervention schools received the WhyDairy? intervention with a website component while control schools received a DFO education program. Intervention schools were further randomized to receive follow-up contact, through monthly emails, or no follow-up contact. A questionnaire, consisting of three surveys (knowledge, FFQ, and intention), was delivered at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up.Results:All groups significantly increased their knowledge post-intervention but only intervention schools with follow-up email contact maintained this positive change in knowledge. No groups saw significant changes in dietary behaviour. The email campaign was successful in reaching parents but did not result in high engagement or changes in student outcomes.Conclusion:The results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of a school-based intervention enhanced with a web-based component in changing student knowledge regarding dairy products and the engagement of the website during the intervention period. Future work should consider longer durations to see changes in dietary behaviour and more targeted approaches during follow-up periods.

Highlights

Dairy products are a convenient source of vitamins, minerals, and protein necessary in the diets of pre-adolescents and adolescents for strengthening bones during the important pubertal years of growth [1 - 4]
The results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of a school-based intervention enhanced with a web-based component in changing student knowledge regarding dairy products and the engagement of the website during the intervention period
To address the issue of low consumption of dairy products by youth, we developed a school-based intervention enhanced with a web-based component that targeted Grade 7 adolescents

Summary

Introduction

Dairy products are a convenient source of vitamins, minerals, and protein necessary in the diets of pre-adolescents and adolescents for strengthening bones during the important pubertal years of growth [1 - 4]. Consumption of recommended levels of dairy products has been shown to con-. Previous research has highlighted components and characteristics of nutrition interventions, including dairy, that is likely to be effective [9 - 11]. Previous research has shown that nutrition behaviours can be both established and altered in schools [12 - 15]. These school-based interventions may be enhanced through the use of strategies that reach beyond the classroom, such as specialized web-based programs [18, 19]. Despite the known health benefits of dairy products, their daily consumption continues to decline in many populations, in preadolescents and adolescents

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion