Trabajo Original

Design and evaluation of a campaign to promote the consumption of vegetables and fruits in mexican school-age children

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Marcos Galván, Fernanda Ríos-pérez, Guadalupe López-rodríguez, Rebeca Guzmán-saldaña, Trinidad Lorena Fernández-cortés, Gloria Camacho-bernal, Manuel Robles-acevedo

Introduction: In Mexican school-age children the consumption of vegetables and fruits (V&F) is less than 25% of the amount recommended by the World Health Organization.Objectives: Evaluate the effectiveness of a promotion campaign about the consumption of V&F in urban school children from Hidalgo, Mexico.Methods: A non controlled community trial in 226 school-age children from private and public schools was conducted, we designed and distributed printed material for promoting the consumption of V&F among the school population, access to V&F was provided through planning and sales at school stores, and consumption was supervised by the teachers.Results: At the end of the intervention vegetable consumption increased by 50 g and plain water in 100 mL (T-test, p < 0.05); the proportion of school-age children who identified the health benefits of the consumption of V&F increased significantly (68% initial, 87% final) and greater support from parents (61% initial, 92 final%) was achieved.Conclusions: A promotion campaign and improved access to vegetables, fruits and water in the school environment which is supported by parents and teachers can encourage healthier eating at school.

Palabras Clave: Promotion of school health. Vegetables. Fruits. Healthy eating.

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