PURPOSE: Effectiveness was evaluated for a fruit and vegetable program developed to encourage Canadian elementary school children to eat the recommended number of daily servings. Also examined was whether the program modified children's personal factors, perceived social environment, and perceived physical environment. METHODS: A prospective, quasi-experimental trial was conducted to compare the eight schools receiving the intervention curriculum (Freggie Friday schools [FFS]) with six control schools (CS). A food frequency questionnaire was used to measure differences in fruit and vegetable consumption. Personal factors, perceived social environment, and perceived physical environment supporting fruit and vegetable consumption were assessed with an adapted version of the validated Pro Children study questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 942 children who completed the baseline assessment, 807 also completed the follow-up questionnaire (FFS, 450; CS, 357). A mixed-effects regression model indicated no significant intervention effects on fruit or vegetable consumption, snack food consumption, or knowledge or attitudes related to fruit and vegetable consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that an intervention based on a single visit from an external group, followed by teacher-led programming, may be an ineffective method of eliciting dietary behaviour change in this population. Future programs may need to implement multicomponent intervention designs.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: Effectiveness was evaluated for a fruit and vegetable program developed to encourage Canadian elementary school children to eat the recommended number of daily servings. Also examined was whether the program modified children's personal factors, perceived social environment, and perceived physical environment. METHODS: A prospective, quasi-experimental trial was conducted to compare the eight schools receiving the intervention curriculum (Freggie Friday schools [FFS]) with six control schools (CS). A food frequency questionnaire was used to measure differences in fruit and vegetable consumption. Personal factors, perceived social environment, and perceived physical environment supporting fruit and vegetable consumption were assessed with an adapted version of the validated Pro Children study questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 942 children who completed the baseline assessment, 807 also completed the follow-up questionnaire (FFS, 450; CS, 357). A mixed-effects regression model indicated no significant intervention effects on fruit or vegetable consumption, snack food consumption, or knowledge or attitudes related to fruit and vegetable consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that an intervention based on a single visit from an external group, followed by teacher-led programming, may be an ineffective method of eliciting dietary behaviour change in this population. Future programs may need to implement multicomponent intervention designs.