Strategies to increase children’s vegetable intake in home and community settings: a systematic review of literature.

A systematic review was undertaken to identify intervention characteristics associated with increasing consumption of vegetables in children (2-12 years). PubMed, PsychINFO and CABabstracts were used to identify studies published between 2004-2014 that had measures of vegetable consumption, a minimum of 3-month follow-up and were conducted in home and community settings (outside of schools). Twenty-two studies were included in the review. Details of the study design, population, setting, intervention characteristics, target behaviour, behaviour change techniques used and vegetable intake were extracted. Study quality and intensity were scored. Overall, 12/22 studies were effective short-term, and 6/10 were effective long-term (6 + months); mean short-term change in vegetable intake was 29%, equating to an increase of a quarter to a half of a serving of vegetables. Intervention effectiveness was associated with number of settings targeted and frequency of contact but not length of intervention. Planning for social support, vegetable exposure and provision of staff training were commonly used behaviour change techniques in effective interventions. This review has identified strategies that may optimise effectiveness of future home-based and community-based interventions aiming to increase vegetable intake in young children. Key messages This review identified 22 prospective studies that reported vegetable intakes among children aged 2 -12 years in the home and community settings. Overall, 12/22 studies were effective short-term (3 months follow-up), and 6/10 were effective longer term (6 months or more). Mean short-term change in vegetable intake was ~30%, which based on current intake equates to an average quarter to a half a serve increase. The design and behavioural change techniques associated with effectiveness were identified, including planning for social support, vegetable exposure and provision of staff training.