2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

322279
Development of an innovative physical activity-based positive youth development program for low-income youth


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 1:30 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

Frank Snyder, PhD, MPH, Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Meghan McDonough, PhD, Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Bonnie Blankenship, Ph.D., Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Ryan Wynkoop, MS, Purdue Extension, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Victoria Clark, B.S., Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Shaina Riciputi, B.A., Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Lindley McDavid, Ph.D., Evaluation and Learning Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Renee McKee, Ph.D, Purdue Extension, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Paige Boyer, B.S.P.H., Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Children and young adolescents from low-income families often have fewer opportunities to participate in structured out-of-school-time (OST) activities compared to youth from higher income families. Participation in structured OST activities has been linked to positive youth development and decreased health risk behaviors among low-income youth. The purpose of this presentation is to describe an innovative, new 4-H Program, 4-H-PALS, designed to improve positive youth development and health-related outcomes though physical activity-based programming for youth from low-income families.

4-H-PALS is a USDA NIFA-funded program and evaluation that includes a longstanding, all-day summer program (PALS) for youth who qualify based on family income. 4-H-PALS also includes a new after-school 4-H program opportunity for youth who have been traditionally underserved by Purdue Extension and the 4-H Program. Thus, youth are now afforded a unique opportunity to participate in a year-round OST program, whereby 4-H-PALS combines an all-day summer program with after-school activities during the academic year.

 We are using a non-equivalent control group design to examine changes in social relationship quality (e.g., with peers and significant adults), positive youth development (e.g., empathy, decision-making, self-esteem, hope), health risk and promoting behaviors (e.g., substance use, bullying, physical activity) among youth during a five-year period. We will compare changes experienced by youth who participate in (1) the year-round program, (2) the after-school component only, (3) the summer component only, and (4) a comparison after-school program. We will discuss implications of the 4-H-PALS program, including potential for dissemination to other 4-H sites across the U.S.

Learning Areas:

Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe an innovative, out-of-school-time physical activity-based positive youth development program designed to provide a year-round opportunity for youth from low-income families. Explain the study design and measures used to evaluate an out-of-school-time physical activity-based positive youth development for youth from low-income families. Discuss implications of the 4-H-PALS program.

Keyword(s): Children and Adolescents, Health Promotion and Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am part of a team of practitioners, program staff, and evaluators involved in this project. I have been involved in a number of federally funded projects focusing on positive youth development and health risk behaviors.
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: 3285.0: Teens Taking Charge: Health Promotion Initiatives Led by Trained Adolescents