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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Colour It Up Program?

The Colour It Up Program is a community-based program designed to help women and their families to eat more vegetables and fruit. The program generally lasts six weeks. Each week women attend a session that is two hours long. Each session includes a warm-up activity, discussions, hands-on activities and a veggie fruit snack break that help women to overcome challenges and build confidence in their ability to eat more vegetables and fruit. When delivered in this way, the Colour It Up Program provides sufficient intensity, duration and exposure to the materials to allow for successful behaviour changes among the participants. There are two Colour It Up programs available: one for women ages 19-50 and one for women over the age of 50.

The Colour It Up Program is provincially coordinated by the Nutrition Resource Centre (NRC) at the Ontario Public Health Association with funding from the Ministry of Health Promotion. Cancer Care Ontario, the Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario are provincial partners.

2. Who can run the Colour It Up Program?

The Colour It Up Program can be run by various organizations or agencies including Public Health Units, Community Health Centres, Family Health Teams, Cancer Centres, Healthcare clinics or other community-based agencies. Agencies running the program should have access to the intended target audience as well as have sufficient resources, including staff and facilities to adequately run the program. At this time, the Nutrition Resource Centre is only available to support the program in Ontario.

3. Why should my organization/agency implement the Colour It Up Program?

Consistent scientific evidence indicates that increased vegetable and fruit consumption is an important factor in reducing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The Colour It Up Program (previously TAKE Five Program) was piloted with diverse communities throughout Ontario and has had a rigorous evaluation demonstrating its effectiveness in increasing vegetable and fruit consumption.

The Colour It Up Program helps local public health units achieve goals within the Ontario Public Health Standards 2008. As part of the pilot test, the Colour It Up Program was effectively implemented in 7 public health units across Ontario.

For Community Health Centres (CHCs) and other community organizations aiming to create a supportive local environment for health, The Colour It Up Program is an attractive program that specifically encourages increased vegetable and fruit consumption. The program was effectively implemented in 5 CHCs across Ontario as part of the pilot test.

For Family Health Teams (FHTs) and various healthcare settings (e.g. cancer centres, clinics), the Colour It Up program can be excellent program to use with existing groups or with target audiences that could benefit from increasing vegetable and fruit consumption.

Based on the pilot program evaluation, a number of program facilitators felt that the program heightened the profile and prestige of the organization. The program also extended the reach of their organization, connected with first-time clients and increased the community's awareness of other programs offered by the organization. At one pilot site, the program contributed to the start-up of two new Good Food Box delivery locations in the community as well as a cooking class to teach women how to prepare veggies. The local grocery store at another pilot site began stocking more exotic vegetables and fruit based on the requests of the program participants. Read more community success stories.

4. Has the Colour It Up Program been evaluated?

Yes! The program (originally as TAKE Five) was pilot tested with 12 selected sites from across Ontario - 5 Community Health Centres and 7 Public Health Units. These sites represented a cross section of the Ontario population (Aboriginal, Francophone and multicultural communities) and also reflected north/south and urban/rural geographies. An extensive evaluation was conducted by Cancer Care Ontario. The evaluation measured the changes in vegetable and fruit consumption as well as the extent to which participants adopted and maintained various behaviours related to eating vegetables and fruit.

The key results of the pilot program evaluation were:

• Total vegetable and fruit consumption increased 3 times higher than expected (based on the literature) as a direct result of participation in the program.
• Total vegetable and fruit consumption increased from 3.8 times per day to 5.6 times per day after the program.
• Behaviour change was maintained 3 months post-program with participants consuming vegetables and fruit an average of 5.8 times per day.
• Greater increases in overall vegetable and fruit consumption were observed in participants with lower than average consumption pre-program.
• Participants showed increased confidence to maintain behaviour in a variety of situations as a direct result of participation in the program.
• Program retention and completion rates averaged 76%.

5. Who is the intended audience for the Colour It Up Program?

The Colour It Up Program is designed for women in Ontario. Every effort has been made to anticipate and be aware of their different needs. The activities, handouts and recipes can be used with women living in rural and urban communities and in Northern and Southern regions. The Colour It Up Program materials were developed with specific consideration of different cultures, religions, incomes and abilities to read.

Since women often decide what the whole family eats, the program intends to reach their families as well. In the Colour It Up program for women ages 19-50, many of the discussions and activities focus on concerns women have about feeding their children. Children are also included through a number of take home activities. The Colour It Up program for women over the age of 50 has more focus on healthy aging and health benefits and addresses the issues and topics that are of most interest to women over the age of 50 (for example, cooking for one or two, changing lifelong habits, influences from husbands or partners).

Unfortunately men cannot join the program. The Colour It Up Program was designed specifically for women and the discussions and activities are geared to women.

6. What are the differences in the program for women 19-50 and the program for women over the age of 50?

Both programs are community-based programs designed to help women and their families eat more vegetables and fruit. Both programs are delivered in 2 hour sessions, generally lasting for six weeks. Session includes a warm-up activity, discussions, hands-on activities and a veggie fruit snack break that help women to overcome challenges and build confidence in their ability to eat more vegetables and fruit.

Canada's Food Guide recommends that women ages 19-50 eat 7-8 Food Guide Servings of vegetables and fruit per day and recommends women 51+ eat 7 Food Guide Servings a day. This difference is reflected in the program materials. The program for women ages 19-50 has more focus on teaching women ways to help children and other family members eat more vegetables and fruit. The program for women over the age of 50 has more focus on healthy aging and the health benefits of eating vegetables and fruit. It also addresses the issues and topics that are of most interest to women over the age of 50 (for example, cooking for one or two, changing lifelong habits, influences from husbands or partners).

The Colour It Up program utilizes group discussion as a key element of the program. Since the challenges and discussions that women 19-50 may be different that women over the age of 50, it is beneficial that women be grouped this way.

7. What is the best size for a group?

A group between 9 and 15 women is ideal and allows for meaningful discussion, exchange and participation.

8. Who can facilitate the program?

Ideally, a registered dietitian will lead the sessions. They have the knowledge of nutrition needed to explain ideas and answer questions. When one is not available, another health professional, a community volunteer trained in nutrition or a person with experience leading groups can lead the groups. The leader's guide includes nutrition background information and tips to help present ideas. If the leader is not a nutrition expert, she should try to find one who can provide advice or guidance. The program can be led by a single facilitator or be co-facilitated. Volunteers can also be used to assist with various program components.

9. Does the program have to be run over six weeks?

In order to expect behaviour change (as evaluated in the pilot of the program), the program should be delivered in two hour sessions over a six week period. Participants need sufficient exposure to the materials and enough time to digest them. Shortening the length of the sessions or reducing the number of weeks would reduce the intensity and duration needed for the program to be successful. It is expected that some organizations may need to alter the program to meet the needs of their clients and/or their organization. Please contact the Colour It Up Program Coordinator to discuss further.

10. How is behaviour change promoted in the Colour It Up Program?

Rather than simply providing nutrition information, the Colour It Up Program engages participants in discussions and activities that are based on behaviour change strategies. Social cognitive theory forms the basis of the Colour It Up Program. The interactive modules include behaviour change principles such as self-monitoring and goal setting; reinforcement and reward of positive behaviours with small rewards/incentives as well as social support and knowledge exchange opportunities including informal discussion and taste testing of new recipes. All components work together to increase vegetable and fruit consumption.

11. Is there cooking involved in the program?

Each session includes a Veggie Fruit Snack Break where a healthy vegetable and/or fruit recipe is served. Recipes are included in the leader's guide. Some recipes are easy to prepare and do not require cooking. Others require more time and full kitchen facilities. To save time, you can prepare the snack yourself before the session or arrange for volunteers to help. You may also get the women involved in making the snack. A quick snack idea is to offer two or three unusual vegetables and fruit at each session. This introduces participants to new choices and may stimulate discussion on buying, storing and preparing those foods. Some Colour It Up programs have opted to extend the program to include a skill-building component by incorporating more food preparation and cooking activities.

12. How can I encourage participation and ensure participants have access to the Colour It Up program?

When you are planning the program, it is important to consider what things in your community could prevent women from coming and how will you deal with them. Your organization may want to make considerations for child care, transportation, daytime and evening programming, and accessible locations.

13. Where should the Colour It Up Program be held?

The location for the program should be convenient for participants and easy to get to. Community Health Centres (CHCs) or Public Health Units are usually well-suited for programs. Community agencies, service organizations and churches may also be suitable. The room should be large enough for the group. If you plan to have the participants involved in preparing the Veggie Fruit Snack Break, then you will also need a location that has a kitchen that is not far from the meeting room. Ideally the kitchen should either be equipped with utensils or provide some storage space for your utensils and supplies. It may also be convenient to pick a location that has audio visual equipment (such as an overhead projector). If childcare will be provided, ensure that the program location has a separate room for that purpose.

14. Why are rewards/ incentives used in the Colour It Up Program?

Rewards/incentives are an INTEGRAL part of the behaviour change process. The behaviour of increased vegetable and fruit consumption is rewarded with an extrinsic reward (incentive) until an intrinsic reward (for example, feeling good about one's choices, or feeling healthy) is associated with the new behaviour of increased vegetable and fruit consumption. Participants should be rewarded for desired behaviour such as attending each session, completing activities and ultimately, for eating more vegetables and fruit. The rewards/incentives are intended to be free or inexpensive little items that are meaningful to the participant. The Nutrition Resource Centre offers some rewards/incentives which can be ordered at a small charge for sites running the program. Local coalitions, organizations, and businesses may also be willing to provide free promotional items.

15. How is the Colour It Up Program evaluated?

The Nutrition Resource Centre (NRC) has developed a series of evaluation questionnaires, based on those used in the pilot program. There are three questionnaires available- a Pre-program Questionnaire, a Post-program Questionnaire, and a 3-Month Post-program Questionnaire. All evaluation tools are available electronically (Facilitator Login). Please contact the Colour It Up Program Coordinator to get access to the facilitator resources or to discuss evaluation further.

16. How much does it cost to run the Colour It Up Program?

The cost of implementing the Colour It Up Program will depend on the location, group size as well as the types of services and incentives provided. A sample budget is included in the Leader's Guide.

17. Is there any funding available to run the Colour It Up Program?

There is no direct funding available to agencies or organizations interested in running the Colour It Up Program. The Nutrition Resource Centre currently offers provincial support to the Colour It Up Program by providing a provincial coordinator for implementation support, program materials, promotional materials, and a website. Funding for the Colour It Up Program could be sourced from the hosting agency/organization and/or from internal partner programs such as heart health, cancer prevention, early learning years, etc. Local community grants may be another funding source.

18. What resources are available to implement the Colour It Up Program?

The comprehensive Colour It Up Program materials include a Facilitator's Guide that includes a leader's guide (background information, implementation strategies and resources), six (6) session outlines with master copies of handouts and overheads for each session, session activities, recipes, and an A-Z vegetable and fruit inventory. Various promotional materials are also available.

19. How can I obtain a copy of the Colour It Up Program materials?

All materials are available electronically (Facilitator Login). Please contact the Colour It Up Program Coordinator to get access to the facilitator resources and availability. Some hard copy materials are available from the Nutrition Resource Centre.

20. Are the programs available in English and French?

Colour It Up for women ages 19-50 is available in both English and French. Colour It Up for women over the age of 50 is currently only available in English.

21. Where can I get more information about the Colour It Up Program?

The Colour It Up Program is provincially coordinated by the Nutrition Resource Centre (NRC) at the Ontario Public Health Association.

For more information or to express your interest in participating in the Colour It Up program, please contact the Colour It Up Program Coordinator.

You can also take a look at some of the sample recipes used in the program, sample activities and read the success stories.

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