ken Economy to Increase Fruit-Vegetable, and Water Consumption Among Primary Schoolchildren

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la efectividad de la técnica de economía de fichas (TEF) para incrementar el consumo de frutas, verduras y agua en refrigerios escolares (RE). Se evaluaron 343 escolares pertenecientes a dos escuelas primarias públicas. Se asignó un grupo control (GC) y un grupo intervención (GI); en el GI se aplicó la TEF durante seis semanas consecutivas. La intervención consistió en un programa de refuerzo positivo mediante fichas acumulativas canjeables por premios. Se entregaron incentivos por incluir frutas, verduras y agua en su RE. El GI incrementó en 2.75 las porciones de frutas y verduras, y se obtuvo un tamaño de efecto mayor en el GI en la conducta de consumo de frutas y agua (≥ 0.70). Se concluye que la TEF es una herramienta eficaz para la modificación de las conductas alimentarias.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the token economy technique (TET) in increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and water in school snacks (SS). A total of 343 schoolchildren from two public elementary schools were evaluated. A control group (CG) and an intervention group (IG) were assigned; in the IG, the TET was applied for six consecutive weeks. The intervention consisted of a positive reinforcement program using cumulative tokens redeemable for prizes, applied for six weeks. Incentives were given for including fruits, vegetables, and water in their SS. The IG increased the intake of 2.75 servings of fruits/vegetables, and a larger effect size was obtained in the IG for fruit and water consumption (≥ 0.70). It is concluded that the TET is an effective tool for modifying eating behaviors.