According to Gram Research analysis, a school-based wellness program called the Health and Wellness Academy significantly increased students’ willingness to try new fruits and vegetables, with statistical improvements of P = 0.011 for fruits and P = 0.001 for vegetables. The 72 participating students (average age 10) showed stronger connections between healthy eating and physical activity by the program’s end, suggesting that combining nutrition and exercise education helps kids develop multiple healthy habits together.
A new school wellness program called the Health and Wellness Academy successfully got kids more interested in trying fruits and vegetables. Researchers studied 72 students (average age 10) who participated in the program, which combined nutrition lessons with physical activity. After the program, students showed significantly greater willingness to try new fruits and vegetables, and their interest in healthy eating connected with their interest in exercise. The findings suggest that when schools offer consistent, hands-on nutrition programs with dedicated teachers, kids become more adventurous eaters and develop healthier habits overall.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study of 72 elementary school students found that participation in the Health and Wellness Academy program significantly increased willingness to try new vegetables (P = 0.001) and new fruits (P = 0.011) over time.
Research from the Health and Wellness Academy showed that the correlation between students’ interest in healthy eating and physical activity strengthened from 0.31 to 0.48 (P = 0.001) after the school-based intervention.
In a study of 72 students (58% female, 75% Hispanic, 25% Black) with average age 10.43 years, sustained school-based nutrition and wellness programs increased willingness to try new fruits and vegetables with statistical significance.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a school-based wellness program could help kids become more willing to try new fruits and vegetables, and whether this connected to their physical activity habits.
- Who participated: 72 students with an average age of 10 years old. About 58% were girls, 75% were Hispanic, and 25% were Black. All participated in the Health and Wellness Academy program at their school.
- Key finding: Students who spent more time in the program became significantly more willing to try new fruits (P = 0.011) and new vegetables (P = 0.001). Their interest in healthy eating also connected more strongly with their interest in exercise by the end of the program.
- What it means for you: If your school offers a wellness program that teaches nutrition and exercise together, your child is likely to become more adventurous with healthy foods. This works best when the program is consistent and taught by people who really know nutrition. However, this study was relatively small and focused on one specific program, so results may vary in different schools.
The Research Details
Researchers created a school program called the Health and Wellness Academy that combined nutrition education with physical activity lessons. They enrolled 72 students and tracked their eating habits and exercise interest before and after the program. Students filled out surveys at the beginning and end to measure how willing they were to try new fruits and vegetables, and how active they wanted to be. The researchers used statistical tests to see if the program actually made a difference in students’ willingness to try new foods and whether that connected to their exercise habits.
The program wasn’t just a one-time lesson—it was ongoing, which allowed students to gradually become more comfortable with new foods. Each session was tailored to the students’ needs and interests, meaning teachers adjusted the lessons based on what the kids actually wanted to learn about.
This research approach is important because it tests a real-world program in an actual school setting with real kids, not in a laboratory. By measuring students before and after the program, researchers could see actual changes in behavior. The fact that they also looked at how eating habits connected to exercise habits shows that healthy behaviors often work together—kids who get excited about food also get excited about moving their bodies.
The study has some strengths: it measured students at multiple time points, used a program specifically designed for kids, and looked at real behavioral changes. However, readers should know that 72 students is a relatively small group, and the study focused on one specific school program. The study didn’t include a comparison group of kids who didn’t do the program, which would have made the results stronger. The students were mostly Hispanic and Black, so results might be different in schools with different populations.
What the Results Show
The main finding was clear: students became significantly more willing to try new fruits and vegetables the longer they stayed in the program. The willingness to try new fruits showed a statistically significant increase (P = 0.011), and the willingness to try new vegetables showed an even stronger increase (P = 0.001). This means the changes weren’t due to chance—they were real results from the program.
Another important finding was that healthy eating and physical activity became more connected over time. At the beginning of the program, students’ interest in healthy food and their interest in exercise weren’t strongly linked. By the end, these two healthy behaviors were much more connected (correlations increased from 0.31 to 0.48 and from 0.32 to higher levels). This suggests that when schools teach nutrition and exercise together, kids start to see them as part of the same healthy lifestyle.
The research showed that having a dedicated nutrition team made a real difference. When the same trained people taught the lessons consistently over time, students felt more comfortable trying new foods. The program worked because it was tailored to what the students actually cared about—not just generic nutrition facts, but foods and activities that felt relevant to their lives.
This study fits with what other research has shown: kids are more likely to eat healthy foods when they’re taught about nutrition in school, especially when the teaching is hands-on and ongoing. However, this study adds something new by showing that nutrition programs work even better when combined with physical activity education. Previous research often looked at nutrition or exercise separately, but this program showed they work together.
The study has several limitations to keep in mind. First, there was no control group—researchers didn’t compare these students to kids who didn’t do the program, so we can’t be 100% sure the program caused the changes. Second, the sample size was relatively small (72 students), which means results might be different in larger groups. Third, the study only looked at one specific program in one school setting, so the results might not work the same way everywhere. Finally, the study measured willingness to try new foods through surveys, not by actually watching kids eat, so there’s a gap between saying you’ll try something and actually eating it.
The Bottom Line
If your school offers a wellness program that combines nutrition and physical activity education, it’s worth having your child participate. The evidence suggests these programs help kids become more interested in healthy foods. For best results, look for programs that are consistent (not just one-time lessons), taught by people trained in nutrition, and tailored to what kids actually care about. Confidence level: Moderate—the research shows promise, but more studies with larger groups are needed.
Parents of elementary and middle school students should care about this research, especially if their kids are picky eaters or not very active. Teachers and school administrators should care because it shows that investing in wellness programs pays off. Kids themselves benefit because they get to try new foods in a fun, supportive environment. However, if your child already eats lots of fruits and vegetables and is very active, this program might have less impact.
Based on this study, students showed changes in their willingness to try new foods over the course of the program, which lasted several months. You shouldn’t expect overnight changes—give the program at least a few months to work. Some kids might become more adventurous eaters within weeks, while others might take longer. The longer kids stay in the program, the bigger the changes tend to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can school programs actually make kids eat more vegetables?
Research shows yes—a 2026 study of 72 students found that school wellness programs significantly increased willingness to try new vegetables (P = 0.001). The key is consistency: programs work better when they’re ongoing and taught by trained nutrition staff rather than one-time lessons.
How long does it take for kids to become more adventurous eaters?
The Health and Wellness Academy study showed changes over several months of consistent participation. Students’ willingness to try new foods increased with longer program involvement, suggesting benefits build gradually. Most kids showed measurable changes within a few months of regular participation.
Does teaching kids about exercise help them eat better too?
Research indicates yes—the study found that when nutrition and physical activity are taught together, students’ interest in healthy eating and exercise become more connected. The correlation between these behaviors strengthened from 0.31 to 0.48 after the combined program.
What makes a school nutrition program actually work with kids?
The study found three key factors: consistency (ongoing lessons, not one-time), dedicated trained staff, and relevance (tailoring content to what kids actually care about). Programs that combine nutrition with physical activity appear more effective than nutrition alone.
Will my picky eater benefit from a school wellness program?
Possibly—the program was designed to increase willingness to try new foods, which is the first step for picky eaters. However, willingness to try doesn’t guarantee they’ll like or eat the food. Results may vary depending on your child’s age and how resistant they are to new foods.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track the number of different fruits and vegetables your child tries each week. Create a simple chart or use an app to record new foods attempted (even if they don’t finish them). Aim to increase this number by one new food every week or two.
- Use the app to set a weekly challenge: “Try one new fruit this week” or “Try one new vegetable this week.” Pair this with a physical activity goal, like “Do 30 minutes of activity three times this week.” This mirrors the program’s approach of connecting healthy eating with exercise.
- Check in monthly to see if your child’s willingness to try new foods is increasing. Also track whether they’re becoming more interested in physical activity. Look for the connection between these two behaviors—as kids get more interested in one, they often get more interested in the other. Celebrate small wins, like trying a new food or doing a new activity.
This research describes one specific school-based wellness program and its results with 72 students. Individual results may vary depending on your child’s age, school, and program quality. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace advice from your child’s doctor or school nutritionist. If you have concerns about your child’s eating habits or nutrition, consult with a healthcare provider. The study did not include a control group, so while results are promising, they should be considered preliminary evidence rather than definitive proof of effectiveness.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.