The Bienestar is a school-based prevention intervention to reduce risks associated with Type II diabetes that targets on nutritional practice and physical activity in 4th grade Mexican-American children residing in poor neighborhoods. The program is grounded on both social cognitive theory and social ecological perspective that develop personal efficacy as well as skills for long-term behavioral change via four intervention components: parent health education, classroom health curriculum, school cafeteria program and after school health club. Preliminary results indicated that the Bienestar has effectively changed nutrition-related behaviors in both students and cafeteria staff via cafeteria waste tray study, cafeteria observation and interviews, student diet recall, and knowledge test of school cafeteria staff. We attributed positive program outcomes to ecological impact of the multiple-intervention nature of the program that have created supportive physical and social environment conductive to healthy nutritional practice.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. describe the theoretical framework underlying the multiple intervention program. 2. identify the process responsible for the success of the Bienestar Health Program. 3. apply the program concepts to their own work.
Keywords: School Health, Children's Health
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.