Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105017

Kay R. Parent, RN, MPH, CHES, Health Promotion Disease Prevention Division, Center for Healthy Communities, Wright State University, 140 E Monument Avenue, Dayton, OH 45402, Carol Gill, MA, CHES, Cardiovascular Health Program Southwest District, Ohio Department of Health, 1 South Main Street, Suite 440, Dayton, OH 45402, and Carla Clasen, RN/MPH, Center for Healthy Communities, Wright State University, 140 East Monument Avenue, Dayton, OH 45402, 937 775 1119, carla.clasen@wright.edu.

With support from the Children's Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio, the Healthy Dayton Coalition developed and implemented an 8-week after school program targeted to overweight teens. The program was piloted in two Dayton Public schools. While nutrition education and physical activity were components of both, one school emphasized nutrition primarily (roughly 75% nutrition & 25% physical activity) and the other school emphasized activity primarily (75% activity, 25% nutrition). The programs were held after school one day a week for 8 weeks. The school nurse recruited students. Local university dietetic and nursing students implemented the program emphasizing nutrition. The YMCA and nursing students implemented the program that emphasized physical activity. A total of twenty-five students completed the two programs. By the end of the program, the students in the Program with a nutrition emphasis were less likely to skip breakfast, drink more water, and eat one more serving of fruit per day. Students in the program with the physical activity emphasis had a more positive attitude toward physical activity. Students in both schools showed an increase in awareness about the importance of physical activity and good nutritional habits and an increase in self-esteem. 72% experienced weight loss and decreased waist measurement. Parent surveys reported student's increase in general activity level, requests for healthier snacks, and talking about healthy eating choices. Drawbacks and barriers of the program included the time consuming nature of collecting data, working around university student schedules, and the need for more standardization of curriculum.

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