The CATCH Kids Club (CKC) is a physical activity and nutrition education program for elementary school aged children (ages 5-10) in an after school setting. The CKC is composed of 3 programmatic elements: a 5-week education component, a continuous physical education program, and modifications to snacks served to the children. The CKC is currently undergoing pilot testing and formative evaluation in 16 Texas schools, 8 intervention and 8 reference. Baseline nutrition knowledge and intention items from the student health questionnaire are presented. A 58-item health behavior questionnaire assessed students’ nutrition behavior, physical activity and inactivity, nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy of nutrition and physical activity behaviors, and demographic characteristics. Sample size is 258 children (49.2% male and 50.8% female). Children are predominantly White (36.7%) and Hispanic (35.5%), 14.5% are African American, 2.0% are Asian, 2.3% are American Indian, and 9.0% are other. A small number of students knew the daily-recommended servings based on the food pyramid: 26% knew the bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group should have the most servings, 57% knew the fats, oils, and sweets group should have the least servings, and 30% knew the correct servings for the fruit and vegetable groups. Very few children (27%) had high-level nutrition knowledge and very few (17%) had healthy food choices. Insufficient nutrition knowledge and unhealthy food choices may lead to future health problems such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes for this population. Therefore, physical activity and nutrition education interventions in after-school settings are warranted.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the learner in this session will be able to: 1. Understand a theory-based multi component physical activity and nutrition education intervention. 2. Describe the components of the CATCH Kids Club (CKC). 3. Describe the nutrition knowledge and food choices of students attending CKC. 4. List the advantages of implementing a physical activity and nutrition agenda in after-school settings
Keywords: School-Based Programs, Food and Nutrition
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.