Free fruit scheme in doubt
The free fruit and vegetable scheme, introduced in maintained schools and nurseries in an attempt to improve children's diets, may offer them no long-term benefits, according to new research.
The study, published in the August edition of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, showed that the scheme initially boosted children's consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables by half a portion, and slightly increased their intake of beta-carotene and vitamin C.
But these increases waned seven months later and disappeared completely by Year 3, when children are no longer eligible for the scheme. There were no changes in children's salt, fat, or overall energy intake. Furthermore, their fruit and vegetable intake actually fell at home, possibly because parents thought children were getting their quota at school.
The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme was set up with £42m from the Government in 2004, and has received a further £77m since, aiming to cut the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease in later life.
Researchers from the University of Leeds and the National Foundation for Educational Research assessed the impact on 3,700 children aged between four and six from 98 schools in the north of England who were given free fruit and vegetables in 2004.
The researchers highlighted several problems with the scheme, including the narrow range of fruit and vegetables on offer. The most common items given to children are apples, pears, easily-peeled citrus fruit and bananas. Fruit containing stones are not allowed because of the risk of choking.
However, a Department of Health spokesperson said, 'It is based on old information from 2004 and only looked at the impact of the scheme after one term.' The DoH is to publish its own study of the scheme over a longer period of time.
Annie Seeley, a nutritionist who specialises in children's health, said, 'I don't think there is anything wrong with the scheme, but we do need to be addressing a child's whole social environment.
'We should look at the marketing of food to children - for example, the use of cartoon characters on food packaging, which has a big impact on what children are eating at home. Junk food promotion to children only undermines the impact of this scheme.'
She called for there to be more research since advertising junk food on children's television programmes was banned (News, 1 March).
Ms Seeley added, 'It is interesting to see that fruit intake fell at home; it shows how important it is that parents are brought on board. The research shows it will be difficult to make a significant difference until we have a social environment that supports healthy eating, rather than undermines it. In the meantime, nurseries need to continue with the good work, instilling good habits for life.'
