Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in elementary school children

N. Bönnhoff, Günter Eissing, T. Baumann, S. Kuß, Dortmund

Fruit and vegetables are assumed to be important in cancer prevention and health promotion. The campaign ‚Five a day‘ is a means of promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in children. In the present study, an approach to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in elementary school children was evaluated.

A total of 92 pupils in 4 classes had received apples, bananas and carrots ad libitum. In two classes fruit and vegetables had been offered whole (whole apples or carrots e.g.), in two classes (test group) fruit and vegetables had been cut into bite-sized pieces (apples cut into 8 pieces e.g.).

In the test classes, constant consumption figures were recorded after one week (153 g per pupil and day) which largely exceeded those of the control classes (80 g per pupil and day). In the test classes, 36 % of the recommended intake were achieved by intake between meals during the lessons; in this way fruit and vegetable supply was considerably increased. EU09/02

Keywords: Elementary school children / increasing fruit and vegetable consumption

Sie finden den Artikel in deutscher Sprache in Ernährungs-Umschau 09/02 ab Seite340.