Abstract
Background
Self-perception about food consumption plays an important role in moving toward a healthy diet.
Objective
To assess the effect of a nutritional intervention on the perception of fruit consumption in adolescents.
Method
A community-based randomized trial was carried out. The intervention consisted of integrated actions of primary prevention (at school) and secondary prevention (at home), both encouraging the participants to adopt healthy eating habits through playful activities. The participants were classified as either “optimistic” or “non-optimistic” according to their reported fruit consumption and self-perception about the amount of fruit consumption. The intervention effect was tested using random-effects logistic regression.
Results
The frequency of optimistic individuals at baseline was 19.1% and 18.5% in the control and intervention groups, and 17.5% and 17.6% at the end of the study (p = 0,743 for the group*time interaction and 0,802 when adjusted for race). The prevalence of optimism was higher in males, in participants who considered their overall diet quality very good or excellent, among those with the lowest frequency of soda and cookie consumption, and in participants who rarely reported sharing mealtime with their parents.
Conclusion
The school-based intervention did not affect the change in perception regarding fruit intake.
Keywords:
clinical trial; adolescents; fruits; perception
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