Trying Alternative Cafeteria Options in Schools (TACOS)
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
The goal of the TACOS program was to increase the availability of lower-fat foods in secondary school a la carte areas.
This intervention spanned two years and included 20 secondary schools that were randomly assigned to either the control or intervention group. TACOS aimed to change the school environment by increasing the availability of lower fat foods in a la carte areas of cafeterias and by implementing student-based promotions of those lower-fat foods throughout the entire school.
Lower-fat items were those that had 5g or less of fat per serving and a la carte foods were those sold separately from the federally reimbursable school lunch program and were offered a minimum of three days per week. A baseline inventory of lower fat food availability was conducted by TACOS staff, after which they worked with school food service staff to ensure that at least half of all a la carte items were lower fat.
For the peer promotion component, TACOS staff worked with student groups and their faculty advisors to conduct specific promotional activities that highlighted one or more of the lower fat foods available in the a la carte areas. These promotions included food choice self-assessments, media campaigns, and taste tests.
This intervention spanned two years and included 20 secondary schools that were randomly assigned to either the control or intervention group. TACOS aimed to change the school environment by increasing the availability of lower fat foods in a la carte areas of cafeterias and by implementing student-based promotions of those lower-fat foods throughout the entire school.
Lower-fat items were those that had 5g or less of fat per serving and a la carte foods were those sold separately from the federally reimbursable school lunch program and were offered a minimum of three days per week. A baseline inventory of lower fat food availability was conducted by TACOS staff, after which they worked with school food service staff to ensure that at least half of all a la carte items were lower fat.
For the peer promotion component, TACOS staff worked with student groups and their faculty advisors to conduct specific promotional activities that highlighted one or more of the lower fat foods available in the a la carte areas. These promotions included food choice self-assessments, media campaigns, and taste tests.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the TACOS program was to use an environmental intervention to increase the availability and consumption of lower-fat foods in a la carte areas of secondary school cafeterias.
Impact
The TACOS program successfully increased both the availability and sale of lower-fat foods in a la carte areas of secondary school cafeterias.
Results / Accomplishments
At baseline, the percentage of lower-fat foods offered in a la carte areas was similar in control and intervention schools. After the two-year study period, availability of lower fat foods in a la carte areas at intervention schools increased by 51% (from 27.8% to 42%), while availability in control schools decreased 5% (from 29.1% to 28%).
In year one, intervention schools exhibited a 10% rate of increase in percentage of sales of lower fat foods, while control schools decreased at a rate of 2.8%, a difference significant at p=0.002.
In year one, intervention schools exhibited a 10% rate of increase in percentage of sales of lower fat foods, while control schools decreased at a rate of 2.8%, a difference significant at p=0.002.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Center for Youth Health Promotion at the University of Minnesota
Primary Contact
Simone A. French
University of Minnesota
Div. Epidemiology & Community Health
1300 S. 2nd Street, Suite 300
Minneapolis MN 55454
612-626-8594
frenc001@umn.edu
http://sph.umn.edu/faculty1/expertise/physical-act...
University of Minnesota
Div. Epidemiology & Community Health
1300 S. 2nd Street, Suite 300
Minneapolis MN 55454
612-626-8594
frenc001@umn.edu
http://sph.umn.edu/faculty1/expertise/physical-act...
Topics
Health / Physical Activity
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Adolescent Health
Organization(s)
Center for Youth Health Promotion at the University of Minnesota
Source
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Date of publication
Sep 2004
Date of implementation
2000
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota
For more details
Target Audience
Teens
Additional Audience
secondary school students