[Promotion of fruit and vegetable consumption among school children--mission (im)possible?]

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables in school children is important for the physical and cognitive development of the child as well as for the prevention of nutrition-related diseases. In Germany, 816 school children (boys and girls, aged 10-13 years) from 14 public schools in the state of Hesse were interviewed about their fruit and vegetable intake in May 2009. The subsequent intervention was conducted between November 2009 and April 2010 among 7 schools. The intervention group received work sheets on fruit and vegetables and had additional promotional and educational activities. The other schools served as controls. After the intervention period, a follow-up survey was carried out in all schools. Both surveys used the same standardised questionnaire for assessing the fruit and vegetable consumption. Comparison between baseline survey and follow-up showed no change in consumption amount among the children of the intervention group. In the control group, fruit consumption decreased statistically significantly (p=0.034). The intervention positively impacted on the diversity of consumed fruit and vegetables. The strategies of PRO GREENS provide a basis for the promotion of fruit and vegetable consumption among school children. They need to be further improved regarding the participation of parents, practical relevance, situational prevention, and long-lasting cooperation to ensure a diversified dietary and nutrient intake.