TEENS is a school-based nutrition education research trial with the goal of developing and evaluating the effectiveness of classroom, school-wide and family programs to increase adolescents’ intakes of fruits, vegetables, and lower fat foods to reduce their future risk of cancer. TEENS is funded by the National Cancer Institute and was implemented in 16 middle schools near Minneapolis, targeting 7th and 8th graders. TEENS was informed by Social Cognitive Theory and developed using a 10 step program planning process for developing health promotion programs for adolescents. In this presentation, we illustrate how a concrete, community-based intervention is developed from behavioral theory, research and knowledge of practice and the target audience. Examples of the TEENS intervention which will be presented include: "Foods for Dudes" a radio call-in show on audio cassette providing nutrition knowledge and role modeling; "Check out the Chow", a diet assessment activity involving goal setting; "Foods for Moods" a behavior modification exercise where students record what they eat and the social and emotional cues to their eating choices; family behavioral coupons giving families specific and easy behavior change messages with incentives; and School Nutrition Advisory councils where school stakeholders set their own agendas and priorities for improving the foods available in schools and school wide food policy. Examples from the intervention will be presented by showing how theory, research and practice informed their inclusion as intervention strategies.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: (1) summarize a 10-step program planning process for developing health promotion programs for adolescents; (2) identify the intervention channels used in a multi-level, multi-component nutrition intervention; (3) describe at least three specific intervention strategies for changing adolescents' dietary behavior.
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.
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