Obesity: Meal or Fruit and Vegetable Snack Interventions to Increase Healthier Foods and Beverages Provided by Schools
CDC
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Meal interventions or fruit and vegetable snack interventions aim to provide healthier foods and beverages that will be consumed by students, limit access to less healthy foods and beverages, or both.
Interventions must include one of the following components:
-School meal policies that ensure school breakfasts or lunches meet specific nutrition requirements (e.g., School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program)
-Fresh fruit and vegetable programs that provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students during lunch or snack
Healthier foods and beverages include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy, lean meats, beans, eggs, nuts, and items that are low in saturated fats, salt, and added sugars, and have no trans fats. Less-healthy foods and beverages include those with more added sugars, fats, and sodium.
Interventions must include one of the following components:
-School meal policies that ensure school breakfasts or lunches meet specific nutrition requirements (e.g., School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program)
-Fresh fruit and vegetable programs that provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students during lunch or snack
Healthier foods and beverages include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy, lean meats, beans, eggs, nuts, and items that are low in saturated fats, salt, and added sugars, and have no trans fats. Less-healthy foods and beverages include those with more added sugars, fats, and sodium.
Impact
The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends meal interventions and fruit and vegetable snack interventions to increase the availability of healthier foods and beverages provided by schools. This finding is based on evidence that they increase fruit and vegetable consumption and reduce or maintain the rate of obesity or overweight. Economic evidence shows that meal interventions and fruit and vegetable snack interventions are cost-effective.
Results / Accomplishments
The systematic review included 25 studies with 26 study arms.
Weight-Related Outcomes
-Overweight/obesity prevalence median decrease of 9.6 percentage points (5 studies)
-BMI z-score median increase of 0.01 (not significant; 3 studies)
Diet-Related Outcomes
-Fruit or vegetable intake 20.0% increase (9 study arms)
Weight-Related Outcomes
-Overweight/obesity prevalence median decrease of 9.6 percentage points (5 studies)
-BMI z-score median increase of 0.01 (not significant; 3 studies)
Diet-Related Outcomes
-Fruit or vegetable intake 20.0% increase (9 study arms)
About this Promising Practice
Primary Contact
The Community Guide
1600 Clifton Rd, NE
MS H21-8
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 498-1827
communityguide@cdc.gov
https://www.thecommunityguide.org/
1600 Clifton Rd, NE
MS H21-8
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 498-1827
communityguide@cdc.gov
https://www.thecommunityguide.org/
Topics
Health / Weight Status
Health / Nutrition & Healthy Eating
Health / Nutrition & Healthy Eating
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