Table 1 Study Outcomes Presented in the Current Paper

KIDSCREEN-10

Widely used Health-Related Quality of Life measure validated in primary school age group [17]. KIDSCREEN-10 is a 10-item questionnaire with each item answered on a 5-point response scale. Items explore childhood physical activity and energy levels, emotions, depressive moods, stress, ability to enjoy recreational activities, socialising, relationships with parents/carers and other children and perception of cognitive capacity and school performance.

Both the 6–7 and 10–11 year-old pupil age groups were administered the same questionnaire at baseline and endpoint.

Raw scores were recoded so that higher values represented better health-related quality of life as per the KIDCREEN-10 manual [17] and summed. Syntax available from the questionnaire development team transformed scores to Rasch person parameters and T-values with means of 50 and a standard deviation of approximately 10.

Strengths and Difficulties (SDQ) Questionnaire

Validated childhood behaviour measure [15]. The version of the SDQ used in the present study is designed to be completed by parents or teachers of 4–16 year-old children. The SDQ consists of 5 scales (Emotional Problems Scale, Conduct Problems Scale, Hyperactivity Scale, Peer Problems Scale and ProSocial Scale) with each scale consisting of 5 items or questions. All scales represent a negative trait, with the exception of the ProSocial Scale which indicates a positive trait.

Teachers of the participating 6–7 and 10–11 year old pupils completed the SDQ for each child in their class at baseline and endpoint. The same questionnaire was completed by teachers of both the 6–7 and 10–11 year old age groups.

A scoring system is available for each individual scale via the questionnaire website (www.sdqinfo.com). The Total Difficulties Scale was calculated in addition to the component scores. Higher scores indicated higher levels of difficulty with the exception of the Pro Social Scale which is a positive trait. The Total Difficulties Scale is the sum of all component scores except the ProSocial Scale. The resultant score ranges from 0 to 40 and is counted as missing if one of the 4 component scores is missing.

Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)

FFQ was developed by the study team and is based on another similar age-appropriate FFQ [18] which was validated in UK primary school children aged 3–7 years. The original FFQ was designed to be administered and used prospectively as a tick list record for all foods consumed over one 24-h period, with assistance from canteen staff/teachers and parents. For the purposes of the Daire project, the FFQ reference period was amended to ‘ever eaten’ any of the foods from the food list with optional responses of ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘not sure’. Researchers were present and able to assist children with completion of the FFQ during the data collection days.

10–11 year old pupils were administered two 52-item food lists, one referring to dietary intake at home, the other referring to dietary intake at school. A condensed 29-item food list was developed for the 6–7 year old pupils referring to ‘any/ever consumption’. FFQ was administered at baseline and endpoint.

For the purposes of analyses, the FFQ responses ‘no’ and ‘not sure’ were combined and compared with ‘yes’ responses. A selection of 11 foods from the 6–7 year old 30-item food list and 18 foods from the 105-item 10–11 year old food list were included in analyses to represent foods that the children were exposed to via the Nourish or Engage interventions

Agri-Food Knowledge

An Agri-Food Knowledge measure was developed based on input from industry partners, the British Nutrition Foundation-Food a Fact of Life resource [19] and adapted from previously published measures [20, 21].

6–7 and 10–11 year old pupils at baseline and endpoint. A shorter measure was administered to 6–7 year old pupils

The measure consisted of a series of component scores including a farm knowledge score, food chain knowledge score, science relating to food knowledge score, local versus imported knowledge score, knowledge of vegetables in season, product to source knowledge score, food label knowledge score. A total Agri-Food score was calculated. Higher score indicated better agri-food related knowledge.

Food Identification and Food Neophilia

A measure assessing ability to identify a range of foods including vegetables, salmon, bread and willingness to try these foods was adapted from previously published measures [22, 23].

6–7 and 10–11 year old pupils at baseline and endpoint. A shorter measure was administered to 6–7 year old children.

Measure was scored as one point for a correct response and willingness to taste these foods.

Perceived Cooking Competence

Measure based on other similar measures for perceived movement competence [24, 25] and an adult cooking confidence measure previously developed by the study team [26].

10–11 year old pupils at baseline and endpoint. This measure was intended for both age groups, with a reduced number of items for the 6–7 year olds. As internal consistency was not adequate for the younger group with reduced items, results are presented for 10–11 year old group only.

Children rated their performance of a range of cooking skills from 1 to 5 using child-friendly options. Higher score indicated better perceived cooking competence.