Increasing fruit and vegetable intake among children: comparing long-term effects of a free distribution and a multicomponent program.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two primary school-based interventions on children's fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption on the long term (2 years after the start of the interventions). Six primary schools were recruited and randomly assigned to (i) a daily free distribution program for the whole school or (ii) a multicomponent program consisting of a classroom curriculum and parental involvement (without free F&V), and six schools served as controls. Follow-up measurements were conducted at the end of the intervention (Follow-up I) and 1 year later (Follow-up II).

Fruit and vegetable distribution program versus a multicomponent program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption: which should be recommended for implementation?

Background: Two primary school-based interventions were implemented, aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption by children, both with proven effectiveness: (1) a free daily F&V distribution scheme for all primary school children and (2) a multicomponent, age-specific program consisting of a classroom curriculum, parental involvement, and an environmental component. This article describes and compares the implementation, evaluation, and potential for adoption of the 2 interventions.

Methods: A total of 48 teachers who worked with either of these programs filled out a questionnaire at the end of the intervention period.

Parental versus child reporting of fruit and vegetable consumption.

Background: The purpose of this study was to (1) compare parental and child recording of children's fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption, including family-related factors, and (2) investigate the potential differences in the relation of children's and parents' perceptions of family-related factors.

Methods: Children were recruited from Dutch seventh and eighth grade classrooms. Each child and one of their parents completed parallel questionnaires.

Increasing children's fruit and vegetable consumption: distribution or a multicomponent programme?

Objective: To measure the effects of two school-based interventions on children's intake of fruit and vegetables (F&V).

Design And Methods: A total of six primary schools were randomly assigned to (1) a free F&V distribution programme, or (2) a multicomponent programme, consisting of a classroom curriculum and parental involvement. The two interventions were evaluated on their effects and compared with six control schools in a pre-test-post-test design.

Explaining school children's fruit and vegetable consumption: the contributions of availability, accessibility, exposure, parental consumption and habit in addition to psychosocial factors.

We studied the contributions of parental fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption, availability and accessibility of F&V in the home, exposure to F&V, and habit, in addition to psychosocial factors, in explaining F&V consumption in 4-12-year-old children. Furthermore, we looked for effect modification by ethnicity and gender. Children's parents (n = 1739) completed a questionnaire assessing psychosocial and additional factors regarding their children's F&V consumption.