219118 Generation With Promise: Findings from a comprehensive intervention on health behavior changes in low-income, urban middle schools

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Annie Murphy, PhD, RD , Healthy Kids Evaluation Services, Suttons Bay, MI
Kimberlydawn Wisdom, MD, MS , Office of the Surgeon General, Michigan Department of Community Health, Lansing, MI
Nate McCaughtry, PhD , Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Jeffrey Martin, PhD , Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Sara Flory, MS , Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Barbara Blum, MSW , Office of the Surgeon General, Michigan Department of Community Health, Detroit, MI
Patricia Blake-Smith, MSPH , Office of the Surgeon General, Michigan Department of Community Health, Detroit, MI
Katie Richards-Schuster, PhD , School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Barry Checkoway, PhD , School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Background: This is the third paper submitted for the symposium “Generation With Promise”; it provides findings from a health initiative in 17 middle schools within five economically-depressed communities.

Purpose: To examine changes in health behaviors of middle-school children in low-income schools participating in a comprehensive school health initiative.

Significance: This study aims to affect youth health behaviors/perceptions and accomplish school health reform though a comprehensive package of interventions in curriculum, school health policy examination/revision and youth leadership development. This unique approach offers a structure where outcomes at the school and student levels can be assessed and findings shared to prompt effective school health reform.

Methodology: Youth health behaviors and perceptions of their school health environment were evaluated using a student health survey adapted from a larger state assessment. Middle school youth (2,388) completed the survey over a two-year period at the beginning and end of each school year.

Findings: Across the project length, some significant findings were that students' screen time decreased and physical activity increased, consumption of fruit increased and soda consumption decreased and students reported more opportunities to learn about nutrition and physical activity at school. Changes occurred in health policies and school environments to offer and support opportunities for students to make healthy choices at school.

Conclusions: A comprehensive approach to school health reform implementation and assessment is needed to produce outcomes at the school and student levels, drive policy change and create and sustain school environments that promote and support healthy eating and increased physical activity.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Identify student changes in health behaviors as a result of participation in a comprehensive school health initiative. Identify components of the Generation With Promise school health reform initiative.

Keywords: Evaluation, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the lead evaluator on the Generation With Promise grant project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3152.0: A generation with promise: School and student health transformation