Using Plates and Trays with "MyPlate" Images to Encourage Healthy Food Choices: A Pilot Study at Military Dining Facilities
Abstract
Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a MyPlate intervention for improving dietary intake and nutrition knowledge. Method: Plates and trays displaying the MyPlate image replaced plain plates and trays, foods were labeled according to their corresponding MyPlate food group, and posters introduced the new food labeling system. Dietary intake of facility patrons was measured during 12 lunch meals using the food photography method. Repeated-measures ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, paired t-test, and McNemars test were used. Results: Dairy consumption increased from baseline to intervention (0.50.4 cups/meal to 0.80.5 cups/meal, P < 0.05). The number of participants that correctly labelled all 5 food groups on a MyPlate diagram increased from baseline to post-intervention (n = 5 versus n = 15, P < 0.01). Conclusions and Implications: A brief MyPlate intervention increased nutrition knowledge and dairy consumption. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of the MyPlate intervention for improving diet quality and nutrition knowledge in larger military dining facilities at different locations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 17, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1052467
Entities
People
- Andrew J Young
- Catherine M. Champagne
- Dianna Carpentieri
- Jenna L. Scisco
- Kristie L. O’connor
- Scott J. Montain
- Susan M. Mcgraw
- Tracey J. Smith
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine