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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2015 May:74:103-10.
doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.02.010. Epub 2015 Feb 28.

Great Taste, Less Waste: a cluster-randomized trial using a communications campaign to improve the quality of foods brought from home to school by elementary school children

Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Great Taste, Less Waste: a cluster-randomized trial using a communications campaign to improve the quality of foods brought from home to school by elementary school children

Jeanne P Goldberg et al. Prev Med. 2015 May.

Abstract

Objective: Great Taste, Less Waste (GTLW), a communications campaign, capitalized on the synergy between healthy eating and eco-friendly behaviors to motivate children to bring more fruits and vegetables and fewer sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to school.

Methods: A cluster-randomized trial in Eastern Massachusetts elementary schools in 2011-2012 tested the hypothesis that GTLW would improve the quality of foods from home more than a nutrition-only campaign--Foods 2 Choose (F2C)--or control. Lunch and snack items from home were measured at baseline and 7 months later using digital photography. Mixed linear models compared change in mean servings of fruits, vegetables, and SSBs among groups, and change in mean prevalence of packaging type. Change in prevalence of food items of interest was compared among groups using generalized linear models.

Results: Five hundred and eighty-two third and fourth graders from 82 classrooms in 12 schools participated. At follow-up, no significant differences were observed between groups in change in mean servings or change in prevalence of items of interest. No packaging differences were observed.

Conclusion: GTLW was well received, but no significant changes were observed in the quality of food brought to school. Whether classrooms are an effective environment for change remains to be explored. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT0157384.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01573845.

Keywords: Behavioral intervention; Elementary school children; Fruits and vegetables; Innovative approaches; Nutrition communication.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
GTLW & F2C Theoretical Framework *Items not included in the F2C model include moral/altruistic beliefs (both parent and child) and eco-friendly behavioral outcomes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Baseline (A) and follow-up (B) trays for one study participant1. 1These are actual baseline (fall 2011) and post-intervention (spring 2012) photographs chosen to reflect the potential for change. They are not representative of the universe of data.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Participant CONSORT diagram for Great Taste, Less Waste, 2011–2012

References

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