No abstract

No abstract

The multi-component school-based programme implemented in the current study successfully increased the intake of whole-grain foods by children.

Objective Examine child and parent perceptions of home food environment factors and associations with child fruit and vegetable (FV) intake Design Research staff administered surveys to children during after-school sessions and parents completed surveys by mail or over the phone Setting Four urban elementary schools in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving primarily low-income populations Participants 73 children (55 girls, 18 boys) participating in a theater-based intervention aimed at obesity prevention and one parent/guardian per child Main Outcome Measures Perceptions of home food environment factors (home FV availability, home FV accessibility; parental encouragement to eat FV; family meal frequency). Analysis Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests Results On average, child and parent perceptions of the home food environment were similar. When comparing child-parent dyad perceptions of home food environment, moderate to high level of agreement (56%-86%) was found. Child report of home FV availability, home FV accessibility, parental encouragement to eat FV, and family meal frequency explained 26.7% of the variance in child FV intake; whereas, parent report of these factors explained 4.9% of the variance. Conclusions and Implications It is important to understand both child and parent perceptions of the home food environment when developing interventions aimed at increasing child FV intake.

BACKGROUND Despite evidence in support of the health benefits associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, national data indicate that FV consumption among school-aged children is below recommended levels, particularly among low-income children. School meals offered through the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program can provide an important contribution to child FV intake. This study examines the proportion of fruits and vegetables consumed from school meals programs among ethnically diverse, low socioeconomic status children. METHODS Participants (n = 103) included fourth to sixth grade boys and girls from 4 urban elementary schools in St. Paul, Minnesota serving primarily low-income populations. Research staff interviewed children during school hours and recorded dietary intake via 24-hour recall. Analysis included descriptive statistics using cross tabulations and means. RESULTS Average reported mean (SD) daily FV intake was 3.6 (2.5) servings, with 80% of children consuming fewer than 5 daily servings of FV. On average, children consumed over half of their daily FV intake within school. Children with low FV intake (<5 FV servings daily) consumed a higher proportion of their daily intake at school than children with higher FV intake (≥5 FV servings daily) (39% vs 59%; p = .002). CONCLUSIONS Child FV intake is below recommended levels. School meals provide an important contribution to the daily FV intake among ethnically diverse, low socioeconomic status children, particularly among those with the lowest FV intake. School meals programs promoting FV intake within the school environment may provide an opportunity to encourage increased FV consumption.