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 inte rvention program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among fourth-g raders. Methods. Twenty-eight elementary schools were randomized to an immediate in tervention condition or to a delayed intervention control condition. Measur es of diet and psychosocial variables were collected at baseline and 1 and 2 years post-baseline. The intervention included classroom, parent, and caf eteria 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) = 3.2 0, (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 interventi on 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 psychosoc ial variables. Future work is needed to enhance the intervention effects on parents' consumption and to test the effectiveness of the intervention whe n delivered by classroom teachers. (C) 2000 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.