None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Background Dietary choice habits are known to influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, which even in childhood are a predictor of future morbidity. Our objective was determining the impact of a school-based intervention of providing fruit daily in the classroom and its effects on risk factors for CVD, and dietary behavior. Methods The study was a randomized controlled trial involving two public and two private schools, one of each in an intervention and control group. Measurement at both the start and end of eight weeks aimed to identify any changes in physiological measures, child and parental attitudes and food choices. Results The intervention had minimal impact on physiological variables, but was effective in improving the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed and attitudes towards fruit intake. Parent lifestyle and dietary choices were poor at baseline, but significantly improved in parents of children in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion This intervention was effective in improving the amount of fruit consumed and attitudes towards fruit intake over just 2 months. It has also shown the importance of not just the school environment but also suggests the home environment can influence children developing good dietary choice habits and lifestyle.
Interventions
Provision of a daily serviing of fruit in the classroom over an 8 week (1 term) period. Fresh seasonal servings of fruit (a choice of apples, oranges, and bananas) were provided on a daily basis
Sponsors
Monash University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
10 Years to 13 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
attend participating Year 4 and 5 classes
Exclusion criteria
absence from school during the term
Outcome results
None listed