PROMOTING THE SELECTION OF LOW-FAT MILK IN ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL CAFETERIAS IN AN INNER-CITY LATINO COMMUNITY - EVALUATION OF AN INTERVENTION

Objectives. This study examined the effects of a school-based interven tion designed to promote the consumption of low-fat white milk at lunc htime in 6 elementary schools in an inner-city, primarily Latino neigh borhood. Methods. A multifaceted intervention based on social marketin g techniques was delivered at 3 randomly selected schools. The school was the unit of assignment and analysis; 6902 children were involved i n the study. Milk selection and consumption were measured by sampling discarded milk and/or tallying milk carton disappearance at baseline, immediately postintervention, and at 3 to 4 months follow-up. Results. Immediately postintervention, the mean proportion of sampled milk car tons that contained low-fat milk increased in the intervention schools , from 25% to 57%, but remained constant at 28% in the control schools . Differences between intervention and control schools remained signif icant at 3 to 4 months follow-up. The intervention was not associated with a decrease in overall milk consumption. Conclusions. A school-bas ed intervention can lead to significant increases in student consumpti on of low-fat milk.