Training the teachers for improving primary schoolchildren's fruit and vegetables intake: a randomized controlled...

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Public Health
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• School-based nutrition education is crucial for improving children's dietary habits.
• Limited research exists on the comparative effectiveness of different nutrition education delivery methods in schools.
• Fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption remains suboptimal among schoolchildren globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of two school-based nutrition education interventions on fruit and vegetable intake among Italian schoolchildren.
• To evaluate the impact of nutritionist-led teacher training versus self-training on intervention outcomes.
• To provide evidence for effective strategies to enhance F&V consumption in primary school settings.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 32 elementary school classes with 813 schoolchildren and 96 teachers.
• Two intervention groups: Group 1 (teachers received nutritionist-led training), Group 2 (teachers used self-training materials).
• Assessment of fruit and vegetable consumption changes before and after the intervention period.

Main Results:

• The nutritionist-led teacher training group (Group 1) showed a significant increase in F&V consumption: 44.7% and 38.3% of students increased intake.
• The self-training group (Group 2) reported lower increases in F&V consumption: 20.5% and 19.2% of students increased intake.
• Teachers' training modality was a key factor in the intervention's success.

Conclusions:

• School-based nutrition education delivered by teachers with nutritionist-led training significantly improves fruit and vegetable intake in primary school children.
• Investing in professional development for teachers is essential for effective nutrition interventions.
• This study highlights a scalable and impactful approach to promoting healthy eating in schools.