Diet-related cancer risk factors include excess dietary fat and low intakes of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Studies consistently document that US adolescents’ diets do not meet national recommendations for dietary fat, fruits, vegetables, and fiber. While several nutrition intervention studies have focused on elementary school children, surprisingly, few have targeted young adolescents. Teens Eating for Energy and Nutrition at School (TEENS) is a four year (1997-2001) group randomized (16 schools) school-based intervention trial, funded by the National Cancer Institute. The purpose of TEENS was to develop and evaluate a multi-level behavioral intervention involving classroom curricula, school environment policy, and family components to increase fruit, vegetable and low fat food consumption among ethnically diverse, lower income young adolescents to reduce future cancer risk. Eight schools received 2 consecutive years of intervention, during students’ 7th and 8th grade years and 8 schools served as controls. Processes used to develop culturally and developmentally appropriate interventions and measures included: 1) social learning theory, recognizing that health-related behaviors are influenced by individual, behavioral, and environmental factors; 2) formative research and pilot testing; and 3) a systematic 10 step health behavior program planning process. Primary outcome measures were fruit and vegetable servings and energy from total fat pre and post treatment assessed by 24 hour recalls. Intermediate intervention effects include changes in psychosocial factors for students and parents, and environmental changes in both the home and school. Process evaluation was conducted throughout. This presentation will focus on the rationale, design, and conceptual framework for TEENS.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: (1) describe the theoretical basis and strategic model used to develop a school-based nutrition intervention; (2) identify the intervention channels used to attempt to change young adolescents' eating behaviors; (3) describe the study design; (4) discuss primary endpoints and intermediate effects of the nutrition intervention study
Keywords: Nutrition, School-Based Programs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.