Increasing the fruit and vegetable consumption of fourth-graders: results from the high 5 project

Background. This study evaluated the effects of a school-based dietary intervention program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among fourth-graders. Methods. Twenty-eight elementary schools were randomized to an immediate intervention condition or to a delayed intervention control condition. Measures of diet and psychosocial variables were collected at base line and 1 and 2 years post-baseline. The intervention included classroom, parent, and cafeteria components. Results. Mean daily consumption of fruit and vegetables was higher for the intervention children compared with controls at Follow-up 1 (X0t = 3.96, Xc = 2.28) and at Follow-up 2 (Xt = 3.20, Xc = 2.21). Macro- and micronutrient changes favoring the intervention children were also observed at both Follow-up 1 and Follow-up 2. Mean daily consumption of fruit and vegetables was higher for intervention parents compared with controls at Follow-up 1 (Xt = 4.23, Xc = 3.94) but not at Follow-up 2. Conclusions. Strong effects were found for the High 5 intervention on fruit and vegetable consumption, on macro- and micro-nutrients, and on psychosocial variables. Future work is needed to enhance the intervention effects on parents' consumption and to test the effectiveness of the intervention when delivered by classroom teachers.