Formación del Equipo HACCP (1º paso) 1 Integrantes del Equipo HACCP

The study population was pre-school children, aged two to five years old, attending either crèches or play-centres in the Mount Albert and central Auckland area.

3.4.1 Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

The inclusion criteria for this study:

Children between 2-5 years of age and attending a crèche or play-centre No allergy to gold kiwifruit

No allergy to banana

3.4.2 Participants Recruitment

More than 15 local crèches and play-centres in Auckland were approached by the investigator and they were invited to take part in the study (see appendix A). Once a crèche/play-centre consented to taking part in the study (see appendix A), recruitment of children began from the consenting crèche/play-centre. Parents/caregivers were made aware of the study via

advertisements in the form of flyers and posters (see appendix B) that were distributed at the consenting crèches/play-centres. Advertisements were focused on the Mount Albert and central Auckland geographical area. In total four crèches and four private play centres took

68 part in the study. In addition, parents who heard about the study (even if they were not

approached by the investigator) and wished to take part in it were included as long as their child met the inclusion criteria. Prior to the commencement of the study the investigator visited the participating crèches and play centres, and the study procedure was explained in detail to the teachers. Once parents registered interest in the study they were sent further information in the form of an information sheet about the study (see appendix C). This gave a description of the outline of the study, an explanation of the procedure involved,

confidentiality measures and the rights of the participants. If the parents wished their children to participate they were given a screening questionnaire to complete and return along with a consent form (see appendix D). The questionnaire was designed to ensure that the children met the inclusion criteria of the study. The study was explained to the consenting parents through a one on one interview with the principal researcher prior to commencement of the study. The interview was conducted either over the telephone or face to face (depending on the parents preference), during which the principal investigator explained in detail how the food questionnaires should be completed and how the CARIFS diary should be completed. Demographic information, including medical history and supplementation intake were also collected in the screening questionnaire. Children who met the inclusion criteria were

randomly assigned to one of two groups. The flow chart (Figure 3.2) outlines the recruitment process.

69 Identification of Crèches

Crèches/play-centres identified and advertisements focused on the Mount Albert and geographical area;

However children who attended crèches or play-centres from various areas throughout the greater central Auckland area were also enrolled in the study upon request of

parents.

Visit to Crèches

The principal researcher approached the crèches/ play-centres

Informed the management staff about the study and delivered the study information sheet and consent form

Once consent was obtained a follow up visit was made to the crèche/play-centre and the study was explained to the rest of the staff to be involved

Participant Identification and Recruitment

Children’s recruitment commenced (upon the crèche/ play-centre consenting) Posters were posted around each crèche

Recruitment of Parents

Once parents registered interest in the study they were sent an information sheet explaining the study

Recruitment of children

If parents wished their children to participate they were given screening questionnaires to complete

If they were eligible, then they were invited to take part in the study and required to sign the consent form

70 Flow-Chart of Study

Stage 1

Parents had a 10 minute consultation with investigator Children ate their normal diets

Parents continued to monitor and rate their child’s respiratory symptoms by filling out the CARIFS diary

Stage 2

Children were randomly divided by the researcher into one of the two groups below

Children (depending on their group) received 2 servings of fruit/day for 5 days per week.

Children were encouraged to eat their pieces of fruit, and once they had they were rewarded with a sticker on a chart.

If a child collects 5 stickers/ week, they were rewarded with a small toy at the end of the week.

Meanwhile Parents monitored their child’s respiratory symptoms by filling out the CARIFS diary

Stage 3

As in Stage 1

Stage 4

Similar to Stage 2, except the groups were crossed over and children received the other fruit. E.g. if the child received kiwifruit during Stage 2, then at stage 4 they received banana

Stage 5 Similar to Stage 1 & 2

Children resumed their normal diets once more

Upon conclusion of the study, the parents had another 10 minute consultation with the investigator and as a thank you for their participation they were provided with a $40 Westfield voucher.

Week 1-2 Week 3-6 Week 7-8 Week 9-12 Week 13-14 Group A Group B

Gold Kiwifruit Banana

Group A Group B

Banana Gold Kiwifruit

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