Effects of a peer modelling and rewards-based intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in children

Abstract

Objective: To measure children's consumption of, and liking for, fruit and vegetables and how these are altered by a peer modelling and rewards-based intervention. Design: In this initial evaluation of the programme, children's consumption of fruit and vegetables were compared within and across baseline and intervention phases. Setting: Three primary schools in England and Wales. Subjects: In total, 402 children, aged from 4 to 11 y. Intervention: Over 16 days, children watched six video adventures featuring heroic peers (the Food Dudes) who enjoy eating fruit and vegetables, and received small rewards for eating these foods themselves. Main outcome measures: Fruit and vegetable consumption was measured (i) in school at lunchtime and snacktime using a fivepoint observation scale, with inter-rated reliability and weighed validation tests; and (ii) at home using parental recall. A questionnaire measured children's liking for fruit and vegetables before and after the intervention. Results: Consumption during the intervention was significantly higher than during baseline at lunchtime and at snacktime (Po0.001 in all instances). Consumption outside school was significantly higher during the intervention on weekdays (Po0.05) but not weekend days. Following the intervention, children's liking for fruit and vegetables also showed a significant increase (Po0.001). Conclusions:The peer modelling and rewards-based intervention was shown to be effective in bringing about substantial increases in children's consumption of, and expressed liking for, fruit and vegetables.

Increasing children's lunchtime consumption of fruit and vegetables: an evaluation of the Food Dudes programme

“…For example, a child's portion of fruit and vegetables has been defined as 80 g and 60 g, respectively, which are likely to be larger than appropriate for children of primary school age (14) . Variations in study design also present difficulties.…”

“…Evidence also suggests that the programme encourages an increased liking for fruit and vegetables (14) . However, only one evaluation study (16) has investigated the impact of the intervention beyond a 6-month follow-up; thus the effectiveness of the programme in facilitating long-term behaviour change is unclear.…”

Parental child-feeding strategies in relation to Dutch children’s fruit and vegetable intake

“…Pressuring a child to eat and offering rewards using instrumental eating ('If you eat your spinach, you will get a dessert') also decrease children's intake or preferences (9,13,15,16) . However, the consequences of these strategies appear to be less straightforward, since pressure and reward may have positive effects under appropriate circumstances (17)(18)(19)(20) . Offering unfamiliar foods with a familiar topping or providing the child with taste information can increase children's willingness to taste (21,22) .…”

Increasing parental provision and children's consumption of lunchbox fruit and vegetables in Ireland: the Food Dudes intervention

“…The peer-modelling element centres on the 'Food Dudes' who are presented to children through a series of video adventures in which they frequently eat and extol the virtues of fruit and vegetables. Small rewards are also given to children for eating target amounts of the foods (for a full description of the theoretical rationale behind the intervention see Lowe et al, 2004). Although this intervention has been shown to be effective in a range of UK primary schools, its applicability and effectiveness in other countries has not yet been determined.…”

“…A series of studies conducted in UK primary schools indicate that a peer modelling and rewards intervention produces substantial increases in children's fruit and vegetable consumption (Horne et al, 1995Lowe et al, 1998Lowe et al, , 2004. The peer-modelling element centres on the 'Food Dudes' who are presented to children through a series of video adventures in which they frequently eat and extol the virtues of fruit and vegetables.…”