Changes in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption of Third-Grade Students in Body Quest: Food of the Warrior, a 17-Class Childhood Obesity Prevention Program

ObjectiveTo increase fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption of youth in Body Quest: Food of the Warrior (BQ), a childhood obesity prevention program.DesignQuasi-experimental.SettingSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education eligible schools (n = 60).ParticipantsThird-grade students (n = 2,477).InterventionTreatment groups (n = 1,674) self-reported foods consumed through the School Lunch Program for 17 weekly assessments; they participated in BQ curriculum, iPad app education, and weekly FV tastings. Control groups (n = 803) completed only pre- and post-assessments.Main Outcome MeasureWeekly FV consumed through School Lunch Program.AnalysisANCOVA and growth modeling.ResultsFrom before to after the program, the treatment group demonstrated significant, moderate increases in fruit (P < .01) and vegetable (P < .001) consumptions, increasing from 7 to 8 weekly FV servings. After the program, the treatment group consumed significantly (P < .001) more FV than the control group. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased to class 10 and then stabilized. From before to after the program, all FV predictors were significantly higher and included gender (vegetables), race (FV), and free/reduced lunch (fruit).Conclusions and ImplicationsNutrition programs can increase FV intake. Even moderate increases in FV intake can be an initial step for the prevention of chronic disease.