Modeling Positive Behavior: Beyond the School Lunchroom

Abstract

Programming level measured with Healthy School Progress Report (HSPR), 100-point scale. Analysis was hierarchical linear regression with FV consumption as student-level variable, square root transformed to account for skewed data due to many students eating no FV, and HSPR scores as school-level variable. Results: FV consumption (n¼2571 trays): 96% of students had FV on tray, mean amount on tray: 0.96AE0.49 cups, amount consumed (student who had F&V on tray): 0.45AE0.40 cups. HSPR: range 24 to 97, mean 55.0AE17.2. Overall HSPR not associated with consumption (p¼0.119). Score on nutrition education (25 point scale, range 5 to 25) was positively associated with FV consumption (p¼0.004). Students from school with score of 5 ate 0.18 cups and students from school with score of 25 ate 0.61 cups. Other HSPR sections were not significant. Conclusions and Implications: Nutrition education appears to be associated with FV consumption at school lunch. Pre-post outcomes evaluation to determine impacts of increased programming on FV consumption is recommended. Funding: FoodCorps Inc.