The effect of a school-based fruit and vegetable promotion program on adolescents' fruit and vegetable consumption behavior in Turkey

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a school-based F&V promotion program developed in line with the transtheoretical model (TTM) on the consumption behavior of middle school students. Design and methods: The study was designed as semi-experimental research with pre−/post- and follow-up tests and a control group. It was conducted at a total of six middle schools in the district of Fethiye/Muğla, Turkey. Three of the schools were selected with the random clustering method as an intervention group and the others as the control group. The F&V promotion program was executed in the intervention group for a period of 24 weeks. Results: It was found in the 6th and 12th months after the intervention that the daily number of portions of fruits (p < .01) and vegetables (p < .01) consumed by the students in the intervention group was significantly more compared to the control group. The perception of the pros of F&V consumption and self-efficacy in the intervention group were higher than in the controls (p < .01). Conclusions: The school-based F&V consumption promotion program was effective in increasing the number of portions of fruits and vegetables students consumed and in improving their behaviors in this regard. Application to practice: The study indicates that the interventions described may be recommended to school nurses for use in their efforts to increase levels of F&V consumption.