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Hudgens ME, Barnes AS, Lockhart MK, Ellsworth SC, Beckford M, Siegel RM. Small Prizes Improve Food Selection in a School Cafeteria Without Increasing Waste. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2017; 56:123-126. [PMID: 28145128 DOI: 10.1177/0009922816677546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We recently demonstrated that small prizes given for a "Power Plate" (plain fat-free milk, entrée, fruit and vegetable) can be used in an elementary school cafeteria to increase healthful food selection by over 300%. The purpose of this study was to measure changes in food waste when the Power Plate (PP) program is implemented. The PP intervention was conducted at an inner-city elementary school. Emoticons were placed next to the preferred foods and children were given a small prize if they selected the PP. Data were obtained by observation and cash register receipts. The trays of 111 students before the intervention and 96 after were examined for content and waste. PP selection increased from 2% to 73% ( P < .001). There was no significant change in waste. We conclude that small prizes as an incentive for better food selection does not lead to an increase food waste.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allison S Barnes
- 1 Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Monna Beckford
- 2 Evanston Academy, Cincinnati Public Schools, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Robert M Siegel
- 1 Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Siegel R, Lockhart MK, Barnes AS, Hiller E, Kipp R, Robison DL, Ellsworth SC, Hudgens ME. Small prizes increased healthful school lunch selection in a Midwestern school district. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2015; 41:370-4. [PMID: 26914228 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
As obesity has become a pressing health issue for American children, greater attention has been focused on how schools can be used to improve how students eat. Previously, we piloted the use of small prizes in an elementary school cafeteria to improve healthful food selection. We hoped to increase healthful food selection in all the elementary schools of a small school district participating in the United States Department of Agriculture Lunch Program by offering prizes to children who selected a Power Plate (PP), which consisted of an entrée with whole grains, a fruit, a vegetable, and plain low-fat milk. In this study, the PP program was introduced to 3 schools sequentially over an academic year. During the kickoff week, green, smiley-faced emoticons were placed by preferred foods, and children were given a prize daily if they chose a PP on that day. After the first week, students were given a sticker or temporary tattoo 2 days a week if they selected a PP. Combining data from the 3 schools in the program, students increased PP selection from 4.5% at baseline to 49.4% (p < 0.0001) during an intervention period of 2.5 school weeks. The school with the longest intervention period, 6 months, showed a PP selection increase of from 3.9% to 26.4% (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, giving small prizes as rewards dramatically improves short-term healthful food selection in elementary school children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Siegel
- a The Center for Better Health and Nutrition, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Mary Kate Lockhart
- a The Center for Better Health and Nutrition, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Allison S Barnes
- a The Center for Better Health and Nutrition, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | | | - Roger Kipp
- b Norwood City School District, Norwood, OH 45212, USA
| | | | - Samantha C Ellsworth
- c James M. Anderson Center for Clinical Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Michelle E Hudgens
- a The Center for Better Health and Nutrition, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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