Engaging Youth as Advocates for “Healthy Snacking Zones” Around Rural Schools: The SNACZ Project

Childhood obesity is a serious public health threat. One contributor to obesity may be unhealthy snacking. Children’s snacking habits are strongly influenced by their immediate food environments, including schools and food stores proximal to schools. Thus, interventions are needed to improve these environments. “SNACZ” is an ongoing research project designed to evaluate an intervention that engages youth as advocates for creating “healthy snacking zones” within 5 elementary/middle schools and nearby food stores (primarily convenience stores) in rural Union County, Oregon.  Youth engagement is occurring through membership in SNACZ clubs, which are part of the Union County 4-H program. The role of club members is to promote healthy snacking among their peers and encourage healthful changes in their schools and local food stores. Photovoice and nutrition education were used to mobilize and prepare the youth for their role as advocates. With support from project staff, adult volunteers, and teen mentors, the youth have planned and implemented several community outreach projects, including booths at schools and the Union County Fair, a YouTube music video, and contests for healthy tailgate snacks at high school football games. School personnel and food store owners have supported the youth’s activities, and the youth have reported satisfaction and personal growth related to the project. Interventions that engage youth as advocates for healthier food environments can reap benefits for communities and the youth themselves. SNACZ is one such intervention that is proving to be popular among students and holds promise for achieving environmental change.