EB4Kids with Play: A comprehensive school-based energy balance program

INTRODUCTION

The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a coalition of companies and organizations committed to reducing obesity, has partnered with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Playworks Systems and UC Berkeley (Atkins Center for Weight and Health) to implement and evaluate Energy Balance 4 Kids with Play (EB4K with Play), an evidenced-based program that promotes nutrition, physical activity, and energy balance knowledge and behavior changes in schools.

METHODS

EB4K with Play engages RD Dietitian Coaches and Recess Coaches to interact with students in the classroom, PE, recess, in the cafeteria, before and after schools. Teachers integrate nutrition and physical activities into the curriculum. UC Berkeley (Atkins Center for Weight and Health) evaluates the impact through a combination of surveys and fitness and nutrition tests.

RESULTS

The pilot-phase of this program found that students who received the RD Coach intervention had significantly improved nutrition knowledge, reported better eating behaviors, and consumed more fruits and vegetables at school lunch compared to students who did not receive the intervention. Results from EB4K with Play will be available for discussion in summer of 2012 and published in 2013.

DISCUSSION

Results from the pilot programs demonstrate the value of using registered dietitians to teach nutrition and lead nutrition interventions in the schools. Continued evaluations will provide a solid foundation for the expansion into new and varied school settings, and allow for further integration of the nutrition and physical activity messages. When done in conjunction, they are especially valuable.