ERIC Number: EJ1116303
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Nov
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Is More Effective in Town and Rural Schools than Those in More Populated Communities
Lin, Yi-Chun; Fly, Alyce D.
Journal of School Health, v86 n11 p769-777 Nov 2016
Background: We attempted to determine effects of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) on variety and frequency of fruit and vegetable intake by students in schools from different locales. Methods: Data were derived from the 2011-2012 Indiana FFVP Student Survey completed by 4229 fourth-sixth graders. Effects were studied within 2 groups, 39 city and suburb schools, and 12 town and rural schools. Differences in students' responses over time to 2 items measuring variety and 10 items measuring fruit and vegetable intake frequency were determined with multilevel regression models. Results: Town and rural students were 1.2 times more likely to eat different kinds of fruit (p = 0.04) and vegetables (p = 0.01) daily, and increased fruit (+1.0 time/day; p < 0.01) and vegetable intake frequency (+0.5 times/day; p = 0.03). City and suburb students increased fruit intake frequency (~0.8 times/day; p < 0.01) but not vegetable intake frequency or daily variety (p > 0.05). Conclusions: FFVP improved fruit and vegetable eating behaviors in the "town and rural" group, but was only partially effective in the "city and suburb" group. Strategies to implement FFVP may need to differ depending on school locale.
Descriptors: Food, Eating Habits, Student Surveys, Student Attitudes, Elementary School Students, Urban Areas, Rural Areas, Program Effectiveness, Statistical Analysis, Rural Urban Differences, Health Behavior
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Indiana
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A