The study, published in the August edition of the Journal ofEpidemiology and Community Health, showed that the scheme initiallyboosted children's consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables by half aportion, and slightly increased their intake of beta-carotene andvitamin C.
But these increases waned seven months later and disappeared completelyby Year 3, when children are no longer eligible for the scheme. Therewere 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 atschool.
The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme was set up with 42m fromthe Government in 2004, and has received a further 77m since,aiming to cut the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease in laterlife.
Researchers from the University of Leeds and the National Foundation forEducational Research assessed the impact on 3,700 children aged betweenfour and six from 98 schools in the north of England who were given freefruit and vegetables in 2004.
The researchers highlighted several problems with the scheme, includingthe narrow range of fruit and vegetables on offer. The most common itemsgiven to children are apples, pears, easily-peeled citrus fruit andbananas. Fruit containing stones are not allowed because of the risk ofchoking.
However, a Department of Health spokesperson said, 'It is based on oldinformation from 2004 and only looked at the impact of the scheme afterone term.' The DoH is to publish its own study of the scheme over alonger 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 needto be addressing a child's whole social environment.
'We should look at the marketing of food to children - for example, theuse of cartoon characters on food packaging, which has a big impact onwhat children are eating at home. Junk food promotion to children onlyundermines the impact of this scheme.'
She called for there to be more research since advertising junk food onchildren's television programmes was banned (News, 1 March).
Ms Seeley added, 'It is interesting to see that fruit intake fell athome; it shows how important it is that parents are brought on board.The research shows it will be difficult to make a significant differenceuntil we have a social environment that supports healthy eating, ratherthan undermines it. In the meantime, nurseries need to continue with thegood work, instilling good habits for life.'