Design and evaluation of a campaign to promote the consumption of vegetables and fruits in Mexican school-age children.

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.

Design and evaluation of a campaign to promote the consumption of vegetables and fruits in Mexican school-age children / Diseño y evaluación de una campaña de promoción del consumo de verduras y frutas en escolares mexicanos

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)