Evaluation of a pilot program designed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors among West Virginia high school students

Childhood obesity is approaching epidemic proportions in the US. Several studies have reported that coronary risk factors are closely associated with obesity. There is a relationship between lifestyle behaviors that lead to adolescent obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Interventions that include optimal modification of diet and physical activities can effectively reduce the obesity epidemic. Programs that target adolescents have reported varied outcomes among middle and high school teens, and suggested a greater need for evaluation of programs that target high school teens. Team activities, pedometers and computer-based interactive programs have proved successful in encouraging lifestyle changes in adolescents. The aim of this study was to evaluate a program that seeks to change knowledge, attitude and behavior of high school students to physical activity and healthier food choices. The physical activity programs used pedometers and computer-based program dubbed ‘Dance Dance Revolution' (DDR). The nutrition programs included trying out recipes and assessing calorie content of food prepared and served to students elsewhere. Instruments to assess change were psychosocial construct measures developed based on the Transtheoretical Model of behavioral change and tested with adolescents from diverse ethnicities with high validity and reliability. Preliminary pre-survey data analysis show 41% of students had high self efficacy and also in action and maintenance phase of change for physical activity. For nutrition, 37.5% had high self efficacy but 6% were in action and maintenance phase for fruit and vegetable consumption. Evaluation when completed in April 2007 will demonstrate behavior changes in empowered high school students.