Healthy whole-grain choices for children and parents: a multi-component school-based pilot intervention.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to pilot-test a school-based intervention designed to increase consumption of whole grains by 4th and 5th grade children.


METHODS
This multi-component school-based pilot intervention utilised a quasi-experimental study design (intervention and comparison schools) that consisted of a five-lesson classroom curriculum based on Social Cognitive Theory, school cafeteria menu modifications to increase the availability of whole-grain foods and family-oriented activities. Meal observations of children estimated intake of whole grains at lunch. Children and parents completed questionnaires to assess changes in knowledge, availability, self-efficacy, usual food choice and role modelling.


METHODS
Parent/child pairs from two schools in the Minneapolis metropolitan area; 67 in the intervention and 83 in the comparison school.


RESULTS
Whole-grain consumption at the lunch meal increased by 1 serving (P < 0.0001) and refined-grain consumption decreased by 1 serving for children in the intervention school compared with the comparison school post-intervention (P < 0.001). Whole-grain foods were more available in the lunches served to children in the intervention school compared with the comparison school post-intervention (P < 0.0001). The ability to identify whole-grain foods by children in both schools increased, with a trend towards a greater increase in the intervention school (P = 0.06). Parenting scores for scales for role modelling (P < 0.001) and enabling behaviours (P < 0.05) were significantly greater for parents in the intervention school compared with the comparison school post-intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
The multi-component school-based programme implemented in the current study successfully increased the intake of whole-grain foods by children.
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Teri L
TL
Burgess-Champoux
Hing Wan
HW
Chan
Renee
R
Rosen
Len
L
Marquart
Marla
M
Reicks
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008612:Menu Planning; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012574:Schools; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014481:United States