Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption through worksites and families in the Treatwell 5-a-Day study

Objectives. We report on the results of the Treatwell 5-a-Day study, a work site intervention aimed at increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables. Methods. Twenty-two worksites were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (1) a min imal intervention control group, (2) a worksite intervention, and (3) a wor ksite-plus-family intervention. The interventions used community-organizing strategies and were structured to target multiple levels of influence, fol lowing a socioecological model. Data were collected by self-administered em ployee surveys before and after the intervention; the response rate was 87% (n = 1359) at baseline and 76% (n = 1306) at follow-up. A process tracking system was used to document intervention delivery. Results. After control for worksite, gender, education, occupation, race/et hnicity, and living situation, total fruit and vegetable intake increased b y 19% in the worksite-plus-family group, 7% in the worksite intervention gr oup, and 0% in the control group (P =.05). These changes reflect a one half serving increase among workers in the worksite-plus-family group compared with the control group (P =.018). Conclusions. The worksite-plus-family intervention was more successful ill increasing fruit and vegetable consumption than was the worksite interventi on. Worksite interventions involving family members appear to be a promisin g strategy for influencing workers' dietary habits.