Eat the rainbow! Evaluation of a short‐term school‐based nutrition intervention

Objective To test if differences existed among 3 modes of intervention on fruit (F) & vegetable (V) liking, the mean number of Fs & Vs ever eaten, FV preference, & self‐efficacy to consume Fs & Vs using a short‐term intervention (3 weeks). Methods This study used a convenience sample, pre‐ & post‐test, quasi‐experimental design with 3 study schools, experiential (E) (nutrition education, taste tests, and learning activity), conventional (CONV) (nutrition education and learning activity) & control (C) (learning activity only). Students in grades 3–5 completed a FV survey pre‐ & post‐intervention. Analysis consisted of repeated measures MANOVA to compare the mean pre‐ & post‐scores for Fs & Vs ever eaten, liking & preferences & self‐efficacy to consume Fs & Vs. Results There were no significant differences for FV liking, preferences, or self‐efficacy. However, there was a significant increase in the mean number of Fs & Vs ever eaten pre‐ & post‐intervention (p=0.04). At the C school, the mean number of Fs & Vs eaten was 21.48 vs. 21.42, pre & post, respectively. Both the CONV school & E schools showed an increase in the mean number of Fs & Vs eaten pre‐ & post‐intervention (20.5 vs. 22.30 & 21.39 vs. 23.36, respectively). Conclusions Although a short‐term intervention was unable to improve FV liking, preference, or self‐efficacy scores, both the CONV & E interventions appear to have increased the mean number of Fs & Vs eaten. Grant Funding Source : Tennessee Coordinated School Health