Beyond the plate: can a food-based science learning intervention improve preschool children’s fruit and vegetable consumption?

Abstract Objective: To examine the efficacy of a food-based intervention on preschool children’s (3–5 years) fruit and vegetable (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 programme, which featured food-based learning (FBL) and gardening. Comparison classrooms (CC) received a standard curriculum. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) aligned menus were identical across all centres. Intervention teachers participated in semi-structured interviews to contextualise quantitative findings. Setting: Head Start centres ( 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.