title: Increasing fruit, vegetable and water consumption in summer day camps--3-year findings of the healthy lunchbox challenge.
abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the 3-year outcomes (2011-2013) from the healthy lunchbox challenge (HLC) delivered in the US-based summer day camps (SDC) (8-10 hours day(-1), 10-11 weeks summer(-1), SDC) to increase children and staff bringing fruit, vegetables and water (FVW) each day. A single group pre- with multiple post-test design was used in four large-scale SDCs serving more than 550 children day(-1) (6-12 years). The percentage of foods/beverages brought by children/staff, staff promotion of healthy eating and children's consumption of FVW was assessed via direct observation over 98 days across three summers. For children (3308 observations), fruit and vegetables (>11-16%) increased; no changes were observed for FVW for staff (398 observations). Reductions in unhealthy foods/beverages (e.g. soda/pop and chips) were observed for both children and staff (minus -10% to 38%). Staff role modeling unhealthy eating/drinking initially decreased but increased by 2013. The majority of children who brought fruit/vegetables consumed them. The HLC can influence the foods/beverages brought to SDCs. Enhancements are required to further increase FVW brought and consumed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, RM 131, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. beets@mailbox.sc.edu.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Beets
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, RM 131, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
authors.forename: Falon
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tilley
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, RM 131, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, RM 131, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
authors.forename: Gabrielle M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Turner-McGrievy
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, RM 131, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
authors.forename: Justin B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D002165:Camping; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005638:Fruit; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014481:United States; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water