Successes and Challenges in Using Group-Level Incentives to Increase Children’s Aggregate Fruit and Vegetable Consumption for Lunch in One Wisconsin Elementary School

Purpose/Objectives Existing research has investigated the effects of using individual incentives and positive reinforcements to influence children to eat more fruits and vegetables for lunch and snack during school. This study explored using group-level incentives to motivate children in a Wisconsin elementary school to eat more fruits and vegetables. Methods This research examined the influence of a variety of group-level incentives on aggregate fruit and vegetable consumption by children from pre-K through fifth grade during school lunch over three periods of study in one Wisconsin elementary school (N=424). Baseline consumption was measured over an initial period (3 days) followed by an incentive period (4 days) and a return to baseline period (3 days). Students were offered three different types of incentives to motivate them to eat more fruits and vegetables during the incentive period. They were informed of the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables as well as what rewards they could earn for increasing their consumption through both school-wide morning announcements and pre-lunch classroom announcements during the incentive period. Results Results showed that group-level incentives increased aggregate fruit and vegetable consumption in children during the incentive period. Increased consumption was sustained during the return to baseline period, but only for fruit. Children’s vegetable intake dropped after the incentive period. Applications to Child Nutrition Professionals These findings contribute to the development and implementation of best practices that can be used by schools to increase children’s fruit and vegetable intake. They also indicate challenges that may be encountered when implementing a group-level incentive program. The ultimate goal of this research is to improve both the eating habits and the health and wellness of children.