Wellness Buddies: Pilot implementation of a school-based peer nutrition & wellness education program in the School District of Philadelphia

Background: Obesity and overweight in youth populations have become overwhelmingly prolific in the US. The prevalence of obesity in youth has tripled in the past thirty years and affects 31.9% of youth. Prevalence is higher in lower-income populations. National and local funding efforts have targeted obesity prevention in youth. Purpose: Modeled after a youth mentoring peer-education program called Healthy Buddies, Wellness Buddies was implemented in seven School District of Philadelphia (SDP) schools (K-8) in an effort to determine best practices for district-wide implementation. The program provides peer educators with the skills required to positively influence nutrition and physical activity habits of children through peer-education and role modeling. Significance: The health consequences of obesity are undeniable. With youth being the most vulnerable, dynamic school-based obesity prevention interventions, like Wellness Buddies, have become viable options to instill knowledge and even long-term behavior change. Methods: Pennsylvania SNAP Ed Tracks educators from the SDP and The Food Trust identified and trained 42 6th-7th grade student Buddies to teach 3 SNAP Ed lessons. Buddies co-taught supervised lessons to 1st and 2nd grade classes in their schools. This program was carried through the PA SNAP Ed program. Findings: Implementation occurred in seven schools during the Spring of 2011. Approximately 42 Buddies were trained, and over 375 1st and 2nd graders received Buddy instruction. Conclusions/Recommendations: Wellness education in schools requires dynamic, engaging and district-wide efforts. Wellness Buddies is an example of such efforts. Future implementation will incorporate sustainability efforts and increased educator and participant creative decision-making.