Melanie K Bean1, Elizabeth Theriault2, Trista Grigsby3, Mary Dunne Stewart4, Jessica Gokee LaRose5. 1. Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA;, Email: melanie.bean@vcuhealth.org. 2. Chronic Disease and Food Systems Specialist, Richmond City Health District, Richmond, VA. 3. Farm to School Specialist, Virginia Department of Education, Office of School Nutrition Programs, Richmond, VA. 4. CEO, Greater Richmond Fit4Kids, Richmond, VA. 5. Associate Professor, Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
Abstract
Objective: In this study, we examined the impact of an intervention targeting food service personnel on Smarter Lunchroom adherence in school cafeterias. Methods: This study used a quasi-experimental design, conducted in a Virginia school district serving predominantly African-American children, all eligible for free meals. In 2014-15, cafeteria managers (N = 38) from 43 schools were trained (and tasked with training their staff) on principles of behavioral economics and choice architecture designed to enhance students' food selections via modifications to the cafeteria environment. Booster trainings were conducted in 2015-16. Cafeteria personnel completed post-intervention surveys; trained raters conducted objective cafeteria environment ratings, assessing adherence with Smarter Lunchroom principles, at baseline, post-intervention, and one-year follow-up. Sales data also were examined. Results: Cafeteria personnel were satisfied (3.91 [of 5]±0.70) with the training and confident (4.18±0.52) in their ability to make changes. Overall adherence to Smarter Lunchroom principles increased 6.47% at post-intervention and 6.93% at follow-up (p = .001; partial eta2 = .21-.24), with a corresponding decrease in sugared-beverage sales at post-intervention (p = .001). Conclusions: This environmental-level intervention focused on training cafeteria personnel was associated with increased adherence to Smarter Lunchroom principles, sustained over 2 years. Future research should investigate the impact of this intervention on students' dietary behaviors in a rigorously designed trial.
RCT Entities:
Objective: In this study, we examined the impact of an intervention targeting food service personnel on Smarter Lunchroom adherence in school cafeterias. Methods: This study used a quasi-experimental design, conducted in a Virginia school district serving predominantly African-American children, all eligible for free meals. In 2014-15, cafeteria managers (N = 38) from 43 schools were trained (and tasked with training their staff) on principles of behavioral economics and choice architecture designed to enhance students' food selections via modifications to the cafeteria environment. Booster trainings were conducted in 2015-16. Cafeteria personnel completed post-intervention surveys; trained raters conducted objective cafeteria environment ratings, assessing adherence with Smarter Lunchroom principles, at baseline, post-intervention, and one-year follow-up. Sales data also were examined. Results: Cafeteria personnel were satisfied (3.91 [of 5]±0.70) with the training and confident (4.18±0.52) in their ability to make changes. Overall adherence to Smarter Lunchroom principles increased 6.47% at post-intervention and 6.93% at follow-up (p = .001; partial eta2 = .21-.24), with a corresponding decrease in sugared-beverage sales at post-intervention (p = .001). Conclusions: This environmental-level intervention focused on training cafeteria personnel was associated with increased adherence to Smarter Lunchroom principles, sustained over 2 years. Future research should investigate the impact of this intervention on students' dietary behaviors in a rigorously designed trial.
Authors: Melanie K Bean; Alexandra Sova; Laura M Thornton; Hollie A Raynor; April Williams; Mary Dunne Stewart; Suzanne E Mazzeo Journal: Health Behav Policy Rev Date: 2020-10