Gregory J. Madden, Heidi Wengreen, & Sheryl AguilarUtah State University
Utah State University Research Study Problem: Children in the U.S. don’t
eat enough FV; many are overweight/obese
Question: Can we increase children’s consumption of FV in schools?
Researchers: Dr. Heidi Wengreen, Sheryl Aguilar (Nutrition), Dr. Greg Madden (Psychology)
Funding: USDA
Food Dudes a program that works! Created by psychologists in the U.K. Wide and wild success in Europe
FV consumption doubles in most schools
The Food Dudes
Methods of the Food Dudes program: Children view short videos (3-6 min)
in their classrooms of positive role models (Food Dudes)
FV are provided to children in the cafeteria
Children earn rewards for repeated tasting and subsequent consumption of FV
6 schools randomized to 1 of 3 interventions:
FV on every child’s tray in cafeteria (no classroom time)
FV on every tray + FD videos + hand stamp and classroom recognition
FV on every tray + FD videos + hand stamp and classroom recognition + prizes
Researcher’s Role
Provide training and information
Provide materials (no additional $ to schools)
Provide USU student helpers
Organize and train cafeteria hand stamp helpers (parents, older students)
Teacher’s Role
0 to 7 minutes per day in class before lunch for 16 days to show FD videos/read FD letters
0 to 3 minutes per day in class after lunch for entire study (4 months) to track student progress and distribute prizes
Provide time for School Coordinator to present to students (3-4 visits, 5-10 minutes each)
Encourage students to succeed
Food Service Role
Prepare and serve fresh fruit and vegetables on a 4 day rotation for 16 days
Coordinate menus with USU FD team
Student’s and Parent’s Role Can choose to not participate at any
time
USU’s IRB has reviewed and approved of this study
Evidence of success!
Edith Bowen, 4th and 5th graders
Edith Bowen School
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Bsln Food Bsln FoodDudes Dudes
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What parents are saying about FD
My Child Ate More F/V at School
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Strongly Neutral Strongly Agree Disagree
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My Child Ate More F/V at Home
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Strongly Neutral Strongly Agree Disagree
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tPositively Changed School Culture
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Strongly Neutral Strongly Agree Disagree
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“I just wanted to say I LOVE this program and I brag to all my neighbors and friends. Thanks so much for getting the kids so excited and educated about healthy eating!”
Questions?
Videos This is a video overview of the Food
Dude Program created by a research team at Bangor University in Wales.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Dkv7G0o0I
This is a video created for the students at the pilot school here in Cache Valley. It shows what the flow in the cafeteria looks like during the first 16 days of the intervention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqCXwpvPOoA
Parent Survey ResultsLiked the Videos
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Strongly Neutral Strongly Agree Disagree
Per
cen
tLiked the Hand-Stamps
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Strongly Neutral Strongly Agree Disagree
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Liked the Prizes
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Strongly Neutral Strongly Agree Disagree
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Positively Changed School Culture
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Strongly Neutral Strongly Agree Disagree
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Parent’s Positive Comments I just wanted to say I LOVE this program and I brag to all
my neighbors and friends. Thanks so much for getting the kids so excited and educated about healthy eating!
My child was pretty motivated by the prizes and was willing to eat things at school that she would otherwise not have tried. Since then, she has been less picky about the vegetables we serve at home. Thanks.
My daughter thought she hated red peppers. Now I cut some for her every day.
My son went from hating Food Dudes to enjoying it. All about the prizes for him. Great to see the kids are being more adventurous about trying new things in front on their peers and becoming more confident about eating fruits and veggies. Keep up the great work!
EXCELLENT program!!! I would love to see elements become a part of the daily lunch program! THANK YOU for this wonderful education and encouragement!
The Food Dudes 3RsThe Food Dudes 3RsThe Food Dudes 3RsThe Food Dudes 3Rs
572
4843
68
48
NB. Average daily portion weight presented = 83g of fruit or 60g of vegetables
% c
on
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1177
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Fruit
Control SchoolFood Dudes School
Before After 16 Days
After 4 Months
Before After 16 Days
After 4 Months
Before After 16 Days
After 4 Months
Before After 16 Days
After 4 Months
Vegetables
England Schools “Poorest Eaters”
Food Service Report
The amount of Fruit and Vegetable taken from the salad bar has doubled since before Food Dudes began.
Self-Reported Consumption 4th & 5th graders
These data will be evaluated against photographic data.
Edith Bowen School
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Bsln Food Bsln FoodDudes Dudes
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