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

Health Educ Res

Department of Health Education.romotion, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, Universiteit Maastricht, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Published: December 2008

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). Random coefficient analyses for longitudinal data showed that the effects of both interventions did not differ between the two follow-up measurements. The results showed similar effects for the free distribution program and the multicomponent program in increasing children's fruit consumption over time (respectively, 7.2 and 15.2 g day(-1)). The distribution program also increased children's vegetable consumption over time (3.25 g day(-1)), even after repeating the analyses using a pessimistic scenario. Despite the large dropout and its consequences for generalizability of our results, the distribution program is considered as the preferred intervention of the two, and implementation on a larger scale should be investigated.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/her/cyn027DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

distribution program
16
free distribution
12
multicomponent program
12
fruit vegetable
8
effects free
8
children's fruit
8
follow-up measurements
8
consumption time
8
program
7
distribution
5

Similar Publications

Background And Objectives: Although previous trials have established the efficacy and safety of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in large ischemic core strokes, most of them excluded patients with extracranial internal carotid artery (e-ICA) occlusion. We aimed to compare outcomes in patients with e-ICA occlusion and large ischemic core infarcts treated with EVT vs medical management (MM).

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the SELECT2 trial, a randomized controlled trial conducted at 31 international sites.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Alternative models of funding curiosity-driven research.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

February 2025

Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZA, United Kingdom.

Funding of curiosity-driven science is the lifeblood of scientific and technological innovation. Various models of funding allocation became institutionalized in the 20th century, shaping the present landscape of research funding. There are numerous reasons for scientists to be dissatisfied with current funding schemes, including the imbalance between funding for curiosity-driven and mission-directed research, regional and country disparities, path-dependency of who gets funded, gender and race disparities, low inter-reviewer reliability, and the trade-off between the effort and time spent on writing or reviewing proposals and doing research.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: We aimed to collect data on gastroenterology and hepatology training from the viewpoint of trainees and trainers.

Methods: A national online survey was distributed among trainees and specialists at certified training institutions between February and May 2024.

Results: Overall, 226 respondents - 98 trainees, 78 trainers, 50 program directors, and department heads responded, with a national coverage of 70% of trainees and 85% of specialty-department heads.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

On the origin of an insular hybrid butterfly lineage.

Evolution

January 2025

Evolutionary Biology Program, Department of Ecology and Genetics (IEG), Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.

A new species can form through hybridization between species. Hybrid speciation in animals has been intensely debated, partly because hard evidence for the process has been difficult to obtain. Here we report the discovery of a European hybrid butterfly lineage, a finding that can be considered surprising given the intense and long-term study of European butterflies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Pertussis poses a significant threat to infants under six months due to their immature immune systems, limited maternal antibody protection, and constraints in the vaccination schedule. Despite vaccination efforts, this group remains highly susceptible to severe complications. Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving the health outcomes of infants in China.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!