Evaluation of a long day care intervention targeting the mealtime environment and curriculum to increase children's vegetable intake: a cluster randomised controlled trial using the multiphase optimisation strategy framework.

Objective: To determine the reach, adoption, implementation and effectiveness of an intervention to increase children's vegetable intake in long day care (LDC).

Design: A 12-week pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial, informed by the multiphase optimisation strategy (MOST), targeting the mealtime environment and curriculum. Children's vegetable intake and variety was measured at follow-up using a modified Short Food Survey for early childhood education and care and analysed using a two-part mixed model for non-vegetable and vegetable consumers.

Development of an initiatives package to increase children's vegetable intake in long day care centres using the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST) randomised factorial experiment.

Objective: To inform a package of initiatives to increase children's vegetable intake while in long day care (LDC) by evaluating the independent and combined effects of three initiatives targeting food provision, the mealtime environment and the curriculum.

Design: Using the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST) framework, a 12-week, eight-condition ( 7 intervention, 1 control) randomised factorial experiment was conducted. Children's dietary intake data were measured pre- and post-initiative implementation using the weighed plate waste method (1× meal and 2× between-meal snacks).

Application of the multiphase optimisation strategy to develop, optimise and evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent initiative package to increase 2-to-5-year-old children's vegetable intake in long day care centres: a study protocol.

Introduction: Globally, children do not eat enough core foods, with vegetable intakes persistently low. Early life is critical for establishing vegetable acceptance and intake. Increased usage of formal childcare has led to the importance of childcare settings shaping children's food intake.

Sensory characteristics of vegetables consumed by Australian children.

Objectives: Consumption is driven by children's sensory acceptance, but little is known about the sensory characteristics of vegetables that children commonly eat. A greater understanding could help design more effective interventions to help raise intakes, thus realising beneficial health effects. This study sought to: (1) Understand the vegetable consumption patterns in children, with and without potatoes, using the Australian and WHO definitions.