The Power Play! Campaign's School Idea & Resource Kits improve determinants of fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity among fourth- and fifth-grade children

Abstract

Objective: Examine the effect of the California Children's Power Play! Campaign's School Idea & Resource Kits for fourth/fifth grades on the psychosocial determinants of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and physical activity (PA).

Methods: Randomized, controlled trial (n = 31 low-resource public schools; 1,154 children). Ten grade-specific, 50-minute nutrition and PA lessons over an 8-week period. Pre/post surveys measuring knowledge, outcome expectations, and self-efficacy (SE) were analyzed using analysis of covariance, controlling for baseline values; chi-square comparing positive/negative changes, adjusted for cluster design effects.

Results: Intervention children made significant gains for FV knowledge (4 items, P < .05 to P < .001); positive outcome expectations (fifth grade only, P < .001); asking/shopping and eating SE (P = .04 and P < .001); PA knowledge (2 items, P < .01 to P < .001); outcome expectations (P < .05); and support seeking SE (P = .04); but not SE to overcome barriers.

Conclusions and implications: The Power Play! Campaign's School Idea & Resource Kits improved the determinants of FV intake and PA.