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Trials
Published in: Trials 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Study protocol

Study protocol: Evaluation of the ‘Flavour School’ sensory food education programme: a cluster-randomised controlled trial in UK primary school children, aged 4–7 years, to determine impact on confidence and curiosity in tasting vegetables and fruit

Authors: Nicholas M. Wilkinson, Srimathi Kannan, Harish Ganguri, Marion M. Hetherington, Charlotte E. L. Evans

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Many children would benefit from a diet richer in vegetables and fruit. ‘Flavour School’ is a programme of ‘sensory food education’, which aims to increase children’s confidence and curiosity in exploring foods and flavours, especially vegetables and fruit. This study will conduct a cluster-randomised controlled trial to assess the outcomes of the Flavour School programme in primary school children aged 4–7 years.

Methods

Four hundred plus children from 4+ schools will either complete the Flavour School programme (experimental group) or have no intervention with normal school teaching (control group), cluster-randomised within-schools, by school class. Baseline data collection will consist of video recorded behavioural observation during a tasting activity, and post-intervention data collection will repeat this activity after the experimental group have completed the intervention. Process measures will be assessed using a teacher engagement feedback questionnaire.

Discussion

This study will provide causal data on the efficacy of a sensory food education intervention for increasing children’s confidence and curiosity in exploring foods and flavours, especially vegetables and fruit. This new knowledge will help educators and policy makers to make evidence based decisions on uptake of sensory food education.

Trial registration

ISRCTN: 40249947 Date assigned 17 March 2020 Last edited 22 September 2021 Version 1.2
Trial Acronym OASES (Outcomes Assessment of Sensory Education in Schools)
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
UK National Health Service website https://​www.​nhs.​uk/​live-well/​eat-well/​why-5-a-day/​ Accessed 26/10/2021
 
2
The Pupil Premium is a grant to schools, providing extra funding for (means-tested) disadvantaged pupils.
 
3
A few children (~1%) do not/cannot engage in the activity as intended and may wander off or want to leave (predominantly children with diagnoses of developmental disorders).
 
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Metadata
Title
Study protocol: Evaluation of the ‘Flavour School’ sensory food education programme: a cluster-randomised controlled trial in UK primary school children, aged 4–7 years, to determine impact on confidence and curiosity in tasting vegetables and fruit
Authors
Nicholas M. Wilkinson
Srimathi Kannan
Harish Ganguri
Marion M. Hetherington
Charlotte E. L. Evans
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06612-2

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