The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59260

Martha Y. Kubik, PhD¹, Leslie A. Lytle, PhD RD², and Jayne A. Fulkerson, PhD². (1) School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 6-101 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, 612-625-0606, kubik002@tc.umn.edu, (2) Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454

National surveillance data indicate that the prevalence of most risk behaviors is higher in youth attending alternative high schools (AHS) than in teens attending regular schools. Regardless, only a few school-based interventions have been evaluated in alternative schools. None have targeted physical activity and nutrition, although physical inactivity and unhealthy eating patterns are among the many prevalent risk behaviors common in AHS students. This study assessed the interest of AHS staff in intervention research targeting students' eating and physical activity habits and the feasibility of conducting such research in AHS settings. In 2001/2002, principals/directors/coordinators from alternative high schools throughout Minnesota were surveyed (response rate=85%; n=133/157). We also conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with key school personnel (n=15) from urban and suburban schools. We found that 86 schools had never been invited to participate in any type of health-related research. While only a few schools had been invited to participate in research targeting physical activity (7%) and nutrition (11%), more than 80% of administrators reported interest in their students participating in such research. Most schools offered health and PE classes and had access to indoor gym facilities and outdoor play areas. While most schools participated in the school lunch program, key informants indicated that cold lunches were common and food was often unappealing and portion sizes small. Not surprisingly, beverage and snack vending machines were common in most schools. Additional survey findings and details from key informant interviews will be presented and implications for intervention research targeting the eating and physical activity habits of youth attending alternative high schools will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Articulate risk behaviors prevalent in youth attending alternative high schools.
• Identify factors that influence the feasibility of implementing a behavioral intervention in an alternative high school setting that targets students' eating and physical activity habits.
• Discuss implications for intervention research targeting the eating and physical activity habits of youth attending alternative high schools.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, School Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.