Teaching Adolescents Health Literacy while Combating Obesity

Background: Recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that approximately 12.5 million (17%) children and adolescents are obese. Prevalence among African-American/Caribbean-American youth is alarmingly higher than among white and Hispanic youth. A myriad of interventions to increase physical activity and modify nutritional behavior have been studied without input from the stakeholders most heavily impacted by the problem—the youth. The question was asked, “Will African-American youth participate in activities to help modify behavioral risk factors associated with obesity, if rewarded?” Methods: In Spring, 2011, a community-based pilot project centering on teenagers being monetarily rewarded for participation in educational events and given generous gifts for participating in a focus group--was conducted in a Brooklyn, NY predominantly African-American/Caribbean-American neighborhood. Group discussions on health literacy, innovative activities on nutrition, and dance activities were held one month prior to the focus group session. Results: Over 50 adolescents attended various educational events. Ten adolescents attended the focus group. Adolescents, significant stakeholders in the fight against obesity, can provide valuable input recommending no-cost, sustainable interventions working with the school system, community and with family and friends. There was no expectation of reward. Implications for Practice & Research: Adolescents in major metropolitan cities should be welcomed as active participants at the research table. The next steps are to plan programs to prepare youth to implement the activities and to assess the programs' effectiveness in empowering adolescents as key stakeholders in the fight against obesity.