Salad Bars Increased Selection and Decreased Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables 1 Month After Installation in Title I Elementary Schools: A Plate Waste Study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the 1-month impact of salad bars on fruit and vegetable (FV) selection, intake, and waste.

DESIGN

Pre-post quasi-experimental design.

SETTING

Title I elementary schools in a large, urban district in central Virginia.

PARTICIPANTS

Students (grades 1-5; >95% African American) from 2 elementary schools participated in plate waste assessments (282 plates were rated at baseline, 443 at post-assessment); fourth- and fifth-grade students from 15 (of 18 eligible) schools (n = 1,193) responded to surveys.

INTERVENTION

Digital imagery plate waste assessments were conducted before salad bars were installed (baseline) and 1 month afterward (post). Post-surveys examined student perceptions of salad bars.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Fruit and vegetable selection, consumption, and waste.

ANALYSIS

General linear models (without considering clustering) examined changes in outcomes, controlling for school. Frequencies and qualitative analyses were applied to survey data.

RESULTS

At post, students selected more types of FVs (1.81-2.58; P < .001), although FV consumption decreased by 0.65 cups (P < .001). Given the smaller portions selected, there was less FV waste (0.27 cups; P < .001) at post. Students liked the ability to choose FV from salad bars.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Short-term exposure to salad bars increased the number of FV students chose but decreased FV consumption. Additional strategies are needed to increase FV consumption.