A randomised controlled trial of a program based on the theory of planned behavior to promote fruit and vegetable intake among schoolchildren: PROFRUVE study protocol

Background: The PROFRUVE study is a controlled intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which follows those behavioral theories that have proved to be the most effective at changing infant fruit and vegetable (F\/) intake pattern. The main purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program in increasing FV consumption in schoolchildren aged 8 to 10 and based on TPB. Methods: Eligible classrooms within schools from Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country, Spain) will be randomly assigned to the intervention (classrooms n = 4; children n = 86) or control (classrooms n = 4; children n = 86) group. The intervention group will receive 14 sessions of 60 min during an academic year (October to June). These sessions, designed by a multidisciplinary team, are based on TPB and are directed at modifying determinants of behavior (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention of consumption), and intake of FV itself. Both the process and the evolution of consumption and determinants of behavior will be evaluated (before, during, shortly after and a year after) using validated surveys, 7 day food records, 24 h reminders and questionnaires. Discussion: This study will provide a valid and useful tool to achieve changes in the consumption of FV at school level. A negative result will be helpful in redefining new strategies in the framework of changing habits in the consumption of FV.This study is supported by the Government of the Basque Country (IT572/13), CIBERobn (Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red, ISCIII), City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz and University of the Basque Country (Programa de Fomento del Consumo de Fruta y Verdura en la Poblacion Infantil de Vitoria-Gasteiz FASE II US14/15). In order to be founded by the University of the Basque Country, the project "Programa de Fomento del Consumo de Fruta y Verdura en la Poblacion Infantil de Vitoria-Gasteiz FASE II US14/15" was evaluated and peer reviewed by ANEP (National Agency for Evaluation and Forecastig). Arrizabalaga-Lopez M is a PhD fellowship holder from the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU. This funding source had no role in the design of this study and will not have any role during its execution, analyses, interpretation of the data, or decision to submit results