Effects of the Healthy Eating, Active Communities (HEAC) project in California on the nutrition and physical activity attitudes and behaviors of 7th and 9th grade students

BACKGROUND: California, like all states in the nation, faces an epidemic of poor nutrition and physical inactivity which adversely affects children's health. In response, The California Endowment's Healthy Eating, Active Communities program is working to change the nutrition and physical activity environments for children in six low income communities in California. To determine the effect of program changes on students' attitudes and behaviors, a pre/post survey was administered. METHODOLOGY: In each of the six HEAC communities and three comparison communities, 7th grade students at one middle school and 9th grade students at one high school completed a nutrition and physical activity questionnaire. Data were collected during the Spring of 2006 and Spring of 2008, with more than 5,000 students completing questionnaires each year. EXPECTED RESULTS: Survey findings will provide evidence about the impact of environmental changes on students' behaviors and attitudes about nutrition and physical activity. Differences may be seen in areas such as students' reported physical activity levels, intake of some key foods and beverages, utilization of community physical activity resources, perceptions of the school and community environments, and attitudes about nutrition and physical activity. DISCUSSION: HEAC is one of the first multi-sector place-based environmental change programs designed to improve nutrition and physical activity environments for children. Findings from the HEAC program will contribute significant evidence about the impact of environmental changes on students' behaviors and attitudes about nutrition and physical activity.