1. MealSim: Data-Driven Predictions of Child Selection, Consumption, and Waste Behaviors to Promote Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption.
- Author
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Prescott, Melissa, Ellison, Brenna, Ofori, Roland, Amaguaya, Mayra Saenz, Ciubotariu, Iulia, and Palmer, Shelly
- Subjects
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FOOD waste prevention , *FOOD habits , *VEGETABLES , *FOOD consumption , *CONFERENCES & conventions , *FOOD preferences , *FRUIT , *HEALTH promotion - Abstract
The objective of the MealSim study is to empower school nutrition directors with evidence-based strategies specific to their institution to improve student fruit and vegetable consumption while decreasing food waste through the development and evaluation of a school meal systems agent-based model simulation tool. The project aims to improve fruit and vegetable consumption and reduce food waste. Research activities will be conducted through two key objectives: Build an agent-based model (MealSim) to simulate dietary behavior in school meal systems and validate MealSim using data from school nutrition programs in collaboration with key stakeholders. Year three focused on analyzing qualitative data from key stakeholders who provided feedback on MealSim, identifying priorities for model adaptations based stakeholder input, and revising model validation procedures due to COVID-related changes to school nutrition programs. School nutrition stakeholders viewed the MealSim interface positively and reported several potential uses for the simulation tool, such as advocating for policy changes and various training/educational purposes. Stakeholders suggested that additional features be added to MealSim to better represent the school nutrition environment, such as more nuanced time use and number of staff supervising students during lunch. Lunch period structured observation protocols were revised to better differentiate between seated lunch time and other lunch period time uses, as requested by stakeholder feedback. Plate waste assessment protocols were modified to adapt to COVID-related changes and supply chain challenges to school nutrition programs. Adapting MealSim according to stakeholder feedback will facilitate trust in the tool and likely improve its utility. It is anticipated that MealSim will empower school nutrition stakeholders to make evidence-based decisions on how to modify their cafeteria operations to improve fruit and vegetable consumption and reduce food waste, ultimately resulting in improved public and planetary health. 2020-68015-30735 This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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