Abstract

SANTILLANA MARIN, Ernestina; JIMENEZ-CRUZ, Arturo  and  BACARDI-GASCON, Montserrat. Programs aimed to increase the nutritional content of lunch packs: systematic review. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2013, vol.28, n.6, pp.1802-1805. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.3305/nh.2013.28.6.6956.

Background: It is recommended that a healthy lunch packs (LP) should include fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but LP have been found to be unhealthy. Several studies have explored the efficacy of promoting the inclusion of fruits and vegetables in the LP. We have not found published systematic reviews of randomized intervention trials that assess the efficacy of these interventions. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of interventions addressed to improve the quality of the content of LP and the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Methods: An electronic search was conducted in /PubMed and Ebsco data base, of randomized intervention trials published up to April 2013. Results: Four studies met the inclusion criteria, which included 2.5 to 11yo children. The time of intervention and follow-up ranged from 4 to 24 months, and the retention rate was > 75%. In all the studies a significant increase in the quantity of fruit and vegetables in the LPs and their consumption in the intervention group was observed. Conclusions: this review shows a consistent and positive effect of intervention programs addressed to improve the quality of the LPs and the consumption of fruits and vegetables among school age children.

Keywords : Lunch Packs; Children; Obesity; Healthy Diet; RCT; Systematic Review.

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