parents may find it hard to believe, but it really is possible to get young teenagers to eat more fruits and vegetables, according to a study by university of Minnesota researchers. The study, of 4,000 seventh-graders at 16 schools, found that those enrolled in a special healthy-eating project actually started eating more fruits and vegetables--- on average, half a serving a day more. The yearlong project included classroom studies, posters, low-fat snacks and free taste tests in the lunchroom. "Even a half-serving of fruits and vegetables every day, on average, really is a substantial change," said Amanda Birnbaum, an epidemiologist who helped conduct the study. "So what I take from this is that it's feasible,even though middle schools are chaotic and there's lots going on." "Overall, the test subjects jumped from 4 1/2 servings a day to five by the end of the year. But surprisingly, kids who were in the test schools--- but not in the healthy-eating program--- ended up cutting their consumption of fruits and vegetables, the study found.


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