The efficacy of a brief, peer-led nutrition education intervention in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption: a wait-list, community-based randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present research was to test the efficacy of Fruit & Veg $ense sessions in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.


METHODS
A wait-list randomised controlled trial was conducted (n 292). Intervention participants attended a Fruit & Veg $ense session and received newsletters at weeks 2 and 5 after attending the session. All participants completed an FFQ and a questionnaire measuring knowledge, attitudes, barriers and stage of change for fruit and vegetable consumption at baseline and 6 weeks.


METHODS
Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia.


METHODS
Two hundred and ninety-two parents with children of primary school age.


RESULTS
The intervention group significantly increased its mean consumption of fruit and vegetables by 0·62 servings compared with 0·11 in the control group (difference of 0·51, P = 0·001). Compared with the control group, there were significant increases in intervention participants' knowledge of daily recommended servings (for fruit and vegetables) and serving size (for vegetables), improvement in stage of change for vegetable consumption and a decrease in the number of perceived barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Fruit & Veg $ense is efficacious in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among parents of primary-school children. The study adds significantly to the limited evidence regarding fruit and vegetable interventions and the feasibility of engaging peer educators to deliver community education sessions. A broader implementation trial to test the effectiveness of Fruit & Veg $ense is recommended.
Cancer Council NSW, Kings Cross, NSW 1340, Australia. colleenglasson@bigpond.com
Colleen
C
Glasson
Kathy
K
Chapman
Kristi
K
Gander
Tamara
T
Wilson
Erica
E
James
D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005518:Food Preferences; D005638:Fruit; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D010290:Parents; D010379:Peer Group; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables