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 baseline 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 ((X) over bar(t) = 3.96, (X) over bar(c) = 2.28) and at Follow-up 2 ((X) over bar(t) = 3.20, (X) over bar(c) = 2.21). Macro- and micro-nutrient 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 ((X) over bar(t) = 4.23, (X) over bar(c) = 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. (C) 2000 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.