Abstract Objective: To examine the efficacy of a food-based intervention on preschool children’s (3-5 years) FV consumption, as measured by skin carotenoid status (SCS) using the Veggie Meter®. Design: Quasi-experimental intervention with baseline (T1), pre-intervention (T2), and post-intervention (T3) assessments of children’s SCS. Intervention classrooms (ICs) received the program, which featured food-based learning and gardening. Comparison classrooms (CC) received a standard curriculum. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) aligned menus were identical across all centers. Intervention teachers participated in semi-structured interviews to contextualize quantitative findings. Setting: Head Start centers (n=7) across three counties in North Carolina Participants: 183 Head Start children (n=88 IC; n=95 CC) Results: During the intervention period (T2-T3), significant SCS increases were observed in both groups: IC (T2=253.7, SD=77.7; T3=299.0, SD=77.4) and CC (T2=226.6, SD=77.5; T3=255.9, SD=79.9). The IC demonstrated a greater gain in SCS (17.8% gain) than the CC (12.9% gain). However, additional analyses revealed no significant difference in the SCS rate of change over time ( p =0.33). Teachers reported that the intervention improved children’s willingness to try fruits and vegetables and encouraged positive feeding practices beyond the mealtime setting. Conclusions: The findings suggest that increased access to FVs through CACFP-supported meals and snacks may influence children’s overall improved FV consumption. However, improved food access paired with FBL may also support higher gains in FV consumption.
Dixon et al. (Fri,) studied this question.