Reducing Childhood Obesity: An Innovative Curriculum With Wellness Policy Support
Objective: To conduct an outcome evaluation of Food, Health & Choices (curriculum) and Positively Healthful Classrooms (wellness policy) on students’ BMI, %BF, energy balance related food and activity behaviors, and theory-based mediators. Description: Twenty schools were randomized to 4 conditions: curriculum, wellness, curriculum and wellness, and delayed control. This year-long intervention with 5th graders was based on social cognitive and self-determination theories. Evaluation: To date, we have: validated instruments and protocols; tested ARS clickers; revised interventions based on formative data; and analyzed baseline data (n1⁄41420 students). Conclusions and Implications: Interim results are promising. If found effective in reducing childhood obesity, the interventions could be widely disseminated. Funding: USDA Grant #2010-85215-20661.