Providing free fruit in schools may boost intake

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Results of a pilot program in Mississippi hints that distributing apples, oranges and other fresh fruit free of charge at school may be an effective part of a comprehensive program aimed at improving students' eating habits.

During the 2004-2005 school year as part of the Mississippi Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program, 25 secondary schools gave out free fresh fruit and vegetables during the school day and provided nutrition education to promote and support the program.

Initial results based on 851 participating students in grades 5, 8, and 10 from 5 schools suggest that the program significantly increased the variety of fruit and vegetables tried by the students in all three grades.

The program appeared to be most effective among students in grades 8 and 10, report Doris J. Schneider from the Child Nutrition Program, Mississippi Department of Education and colleagues in the current issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The program promoted positive attitudes toward eating fruit and increased fruit consumption among 8th and 10th graders, but not among 5th graders.

Eighth graders also displayed a noteworthy increase in their willingness to try new fruit. However, the willingness of students in grade 5 to try new fruit and new vegetables declined significantly.

Intention to eat fruit rose among 10th grade students, but not among 5th and 8th grade students.

The investigators observed an overall increase in vitamin C and dietary fiber consumed in school.

Diets packed with fruits and vegetables are associated with decreased risk for many chronic diseases. However, consumption of fruits and vegetables by children in the U.S. is below recommended levels, Schneider and colleagues note in their report.

The authors of an editorial say further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of this type of program among youths.

SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 8, 2006.