ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: In Mexican school-age children the consumption of vegetables and fruits (V&F) is less than 25% of the amount recommended by the World Health Organization. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the effectiveness of a promotion campaign about the consumption of V&F in urban school children from Hidalgo, Mexico. METHODS: A non controlled community trial in 226 school-age children from private and public schools was conducted, we designed and distributed printed material for promoting the consumption of V&F among the school population, access to V&F was provided through planning and sales at school stores, and consumption was supervised by the teachers. RESULTS: At the end of the intervention vegetable consumption increased by 50 g and plain water in 100 mL (T-test, p < 0.05); the proportion of school-age children who identified the health benefits of the consumption of V&F increased significantly (68% initial, 87% final) and greater support from parents (61% initial, 92 final%) was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: A promotion campaign and improved access to vegetables, fruits and water in the school environment which is supported by parents and teachers can encourage healthier eating at school.
Subject(s)
Diet , Fruit , Health Promotion/methods , Vegetables , Child , Feeding Behavior , Female , Humans , Male , Mexico , Program Evaluation , SchoolsABSTRACT
Introduction: In Mexican school-age children the consumption of vegetables and fruits (V&F) is less than 25% of the amount recommended by the World Health Organization. Objectives: Evaluate the effectiveness of a promotion campaign about the consumption of V&F in urban school children from Hidalgo, Mexico. Methods: A non controlled community trial in 226 school-age children from private and public schools was conducted, we designed and distributed printed material for promoting the consumption of V&F among the school population, access to V&F was provided through planning and sales at school stores, and consumption was supervised by the teachers. Results: At the end of the intervention vegetable consumption increased by 50 g and plain water in 100 mL (T-test, p < 0.05); the proportion of school-age children who identified the health benefits of the consumption of V&F increased significantly (68% initial, 87% final) and greater support from parents (61% initial, 92 final%) was achieved. Conclusions: A promotion campaign and improved access to vegetables, fruits and water in the school environment which is supported by parents and teachers can encourage healthier eating at school (AU)
Introducción: en escolares mexicanos el consumo de verduras y frutas y (VyF) es menor del 25% de la cantidad recomendada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Objetivos: evaluar la efectividad de una campaña de promoción del consumo de VyF en niños de escuelas urbanas de Hidalgo, México. Métodos: se realizó un ensayo comunitario no contralado en 226 escolares de una escuela privada y una pública; se diseñó y distribuyó material impreso de promoción del consumo de VyF entre la población escolar; se facilitó el acceso a VyF mediante una planificación y venta en establecimientos de consumo escolar, y se supervisó el consumo por los profesores. Resultados: al finalizar la intervención, se incrementó el consumo de verduras en 50 g y el de agua simple en 100 ml (T-test, p < 0,05); se aumentó significativamente la proporción de escolares que identificaban los beneficios en su salud del consumo de VyF (68% inicial, 87% final) y se logró mayor apoyo de los padres de familia (61% inicial, 92% final). Conclusiones: una campaña de promoción y mejoramiento del acceso a verduras, frutas y agua en el contexto escolar, que cuente con el apoyo de padres de familia y profesores, puede favorecer una alimentación más saludable en la escuela (AU)
