269457 MyHealthMyChoice: An evaluation of a childhood obesity prevention curriculum

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Elizabeth Hanahan , Department of Epidimeology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Mendel E. Singer, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Background: Research has shown that a child's lack of media literacy and social skills contribute to the increasing trend of childhood obesity in the United States. A school-based curriculum that focuses on teaching social skills and improving media literacy to support positive eating and exercise habits may promote healthy behavior choices and strengthen a child's confidence in making healthier decisions. The MyHealthMyChoice curriculum models an existing and successful curriculum used in the prevention of alcohol, drug and tobacco use among children.

Methods: Five hundred fifth through eighth grade students at a rural school in Northeast Ohio are participating in this study that began in December 2011. Classes were split randomly by grade into intervention and control groups. The intervention group is receiving four lessons over a two-week period. Pre and post behavioral measure surveys are given to all students. The survey asks about each child's eating and exercise habits, their understanding of media's impact on their health, and their confidence in making choices about their health.

Results: Anticipated results for the intervention group include a significant increase in self-efficacy in making choices about their health, improved eating and exercise habits, and a better understanding of the impact media has on the choices they make compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Our results may support teaching social skills and improving media literacy as a complementary method of targeting childhood obesity.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the impact the media has on a child’s eating habits and physical activity levels. 2. Identify methods that effectively teach social skills and improve media literacy amongst children and adolescents, and ultimately prompt healthier eating and exercise habits.

Keywords: Media Literacy, Child Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I created this study under faculty supervision to fulfill the requirements of my Masters of Public Health degree. Population health is my area of interest, and I am enthusiastic about using successful childhood prevention tools from other areas such as tobacco, alcohol, and drug use in the prevention of obesity among children.
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: 4375.0: Obesity and Overweight in Youth