evaluation of a theory based childhood overweight prevention curriculum

Food Fit, a social cognitive theory based (SCT) nutrition intervention, was implemented to 3rd-5th grade student’s at 5 YMCA after-school programs to impact specific dietary behaviors associated with the prevention of childhood overweight (n = 58). Pre and post tests were administered for each lesson to evaluate changes in behavioral capabilities (BC), self efficacy (SE), and outcome expectancies (OE) for each lesson's key objectives. A child-modified Food Behavior Checklist was administered before and after the program to evaluate dietary behaviors. Results showed significant improvements for SCT psychosocial variables (i.e. outcome expectancies for eating raw vegetables (p<0.01), self efficacy for eating fruit (p<.05)) Significant dietary changes included an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables as snacks (p<.001), citrus fruits and juice (p<0.02), raw vegetables (p<.001), and increased use of the food label to determine food selection (p<0.001). The FF program appears to be successful at favorably impacting children's BC, SE and OE for food selection behaviors thought to contribute to the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity. FF may be a viable nutrition program for use in multi-component interventions, aimed at impacting behaviors associated with the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity

Process Evaluations for a Multisite Nutrition Education Program

Process evaluations are an often-overlooked component of evaluating health promotion interventions, but can be essential for interpreting program outcomes. The purpose of this study was to report the results of two types of process evaluations conducted for Food Fit, a nutrition education program implemented to 58 3rd through 5th grade children (67% Caucasian) in 5 YMCA after school programs. To evaluate program fidelity, a trained observer watched each lesson and recorded program adherence using a standardized checklist, outlining essential components of the intervention. Attendance was recorded by asking each child to complete a small task before and after each lesson. Results showed that program adherence was perfect in most cases and attendance rates varied, but were generally high. Attendance rates were not associated with improvement in nutrition behaviors. Implications and recommendations for future use of process evaluations are discussed

Fruit and Vegetable Intake Exceeds National Average Among Food Pantry Clients

IMPACT. 1: 79 participants, 3 pantries (with weekly access to fresh produce), randomly assigned to intervention/control. Intervention participants received laminated copy of MyPlate & consumer message, "make half your plate fruits and vegetables"; viewed daily, 1 month. -- 2. 79 participants; 53 completed follow up assessments. Result: Regular (weekly) access to FV may have contributed to reported consumption of 4 servings of FV daily – nearly 1 serving greater than US average of 3.04. -- 3. 79 participants; 53 completed follow up assessments. Result: No significant differences in FV consumption (p<.53), FV behavioral intention (p <.9) and perceived diet healthfulness (p< .3) were found between intervention and control groups.OSU PARTNERS: College of Public Health, Division of Health Behavior & Health Promotion; College of Medicine, Division of General Internal MedicineCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: Mid-Ohio Foodbank; Lutheran Social Services of Central; Ohio Food Pantries; Broad Street Presbyterian Church; Food Pantry; Kroger Community Pantry at Mid-Ohio FoodbankPRIMARY CONTACT: Gail L. Kaye ([email protected])Increased dietary intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with lower risk of chronic diseases. However, most Americans don't meet dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, particularly those in low income categories. MyPlate messages were developed to remind food pantry consumers to "make half your plate fruits and vegetables." This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the MyPlate icon and this consumer message on dietary intake of FV in food pantry clients

Impacting Dietary Behaviors of Children from Low Income Communities: An Evaluation of a Theory-Based Nutrition Education Program

The purpose of this study was to evaluate an expanded version of the Food Fit program, a Social Cognitive Theory based (SCT) nutrition intervention, among children in a low-income community. Eighty-five children ages 8 to 13 (mean=9.15 years; SD=1.05) were enrolled in this study. Impact and outcome measures included BMI percentile and dietary behaviors, which were evaluated before and after the program, and after a three-month follow up period. In addition, constructs of social cognitive theory, including behavioral capabilities (BC), self efficacy (SE), and outcome expectancies (OE), were evaluated before and after each lesson. Results indicated statistically significant improvements for BC’s in 11 of the 14 lessons (p=0.001), but changes in SE’s and OE’s did not reach levels of significance. There was also a significant improvement in overall dietary behaviors (p=0.036), and an increase in BMI percentile for normal weight children only (p=0.001). Compared with the previous implementation of Food Fit with children from middle-income families, this group had a similar level of changes for knowledge and skills, but fewer self-reported changes in confidence and desire to use the knowledge and skills discussed during the program. Reasons for these differences necessitate further investigation

Faith Community Partnerships with Ohio Interfaith Power and Light

At the center of engagement are meaningful partnerships with external groups: industry, government, schools, and nonprofit/community organizations. This panel discusses what makes partnerships between nonprofit/community organizations and higher education unique. Nonprofit assets grow from their embedded, authentic relationships with communities: geographic-based, i.e. east Columbus; issue-based, i.e. public health; or sector-based, i.e. faith. Higher education institutions' missions to educate students to be leaders and engaged citizens and to create knowledge to improve the well-being of our state, region, nation, and globe provide unique opportunities for meaningful partnerships with nonprofits. Charles Rutheiser, Annie E. Casey Foundation, provides a contextual frame from his experience as a practicing research anthropologist at a university and his work with a philanthropy helping universities develop an authentic and responsive relationships with communities. He provides examples from across the country that show the beginnings of significant change in how these partnerships operate. Faculty and their community partners share examples of partnerships that serve missions of all partners as they work for health and wellness: Susan Melsop, Department of Design and Jackie Calderone, Transit Arts, discuss a partnership of the Department of Design and Central Community House, an east side settlement house. At its heart is a service-learning course that engages Transit Arts urban youth with university students in design-build activities to restore a historic building. Presenters share aspects that impact university student learning, extend education to urban youth, provide a nonprofit partner design service, and advance scholarship in community-engaged learning. Gail L. Kaye and Dawn Williams, College of Public Health, and Julie McMahon, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Columbus discuss how the College of Public Health systematically engages with nonprofits as a part of its academic programs. Undergraduate and graduate students complete applied experiences (capstone, practicum and culminating projects) at nonprofit organizations. Many are non-funded opportunities; some involve research. Learning agreements are developed that serve to both expand the capacity of the NPO and facilitate student learning. Greg Hitzhusen, School of Environmental and Natural Resources (SENR) and Sara Ward, Ohio Interfaith Power and Light (OhioIPL), discuss how Ohio IPL partners with SENR and the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center to provide environment and sustainability resources to Ohioans through faith communities. A primary initiative has been co-sponsorship of a biennial "Earthkeeping Summit" to provide information, resources, and inspiration to Ohio communities engaged in energy efficiency projects, environmental justice, urban agriculture, and clean energy systems. Next steps include regional focus groups/surveys and creation of the next Summit.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Charles Ruthheiser, Annie E. Casey Foundation; Mindy Wright, Senior Outreach Coordinator, Outreach and Engagement, [email protected] (Corresponding Author); Susan Melsop, Associate Professor, Department of Design; Gail Kaye, Associate Professor of Clinical Public Health, Director of Undergraduate Programs, College of Public Health; Gregory Hitzhusen, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, School of Environment and Natural Resources; Sara Ward, Executive Director, Ohio Interfaith Power and Light.Nonprofit assets grow from their embedded, authentic relationships with communities: geographic-based (i.e. east Columbus); issue-based (i.e. public health); or sector-based (i.e. faith). The mission of higher education institutions to educate students to be leaders and engaged citizens and to create knowledge to improve the well-being of our state, region, nation, and globe provides unique opportunities for meaningful partnerships with nonprofits. Charles Rutheiser with the Annie E Casey Foundation sets a national context for such partnerships. Susan Melsop, Department of Design; Jackie Calderone, Transit Arts; Gail L. Kaye and Dawn Williams, College of Public Health; Julie McMahon, Susan G. Komen Foundation; Greg Hitzhusen, School of Environment and Natural Resources; and Sara Ward, Ohio Interfaith Power and Light, will discuss examples of their meaningful partnerships and make the case for the value of nonprofit/higher education partnerships

Using Trends in Biometric Data to Predict Interest in Enrolling in an Employer-Sponsored National Diabetes Prevention Program Focusing on Diet and Exercise: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Evidence-based lifestyle programs including the Diabetes Prevention Program can delay an individual’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Identifying which individuals are less likely to enroll in these programs and tailoring recruitment approaches to encourage participation among those with perceived barriers is an effective strategy to increase engagement in health promotion. This study aimed to identify the pre-enrollment differences in biometric trends between individuals with prediabetes who did and did not express interest in free worksite diabetes prevention programs.Subjects and Method: This retrospective cohort study was conducted among individuals in the Midwest enrolled in a private insurance plan from 2011 to 2014. Data was combined from annual biometric screenings and a health survey. Demographic characteristics were summarized for the study population (n=2,066). The dependent variable for this study was interest in the DPP, while the independent variables included body mass index, waist circumference, body weight, lipid measurements, and blood pressure. Linear mixed models with random intercepts were used to compare bio-metric trajectories for body mass index, waist circumference, body weight, lipid measurements (triglycerides and cholesterol), and blood pressure for the two groups.Results: No differences were observed in biometric trends for those who did and did not choose to enroll in the free worksite program.Conclusion: Examining pre-enrollment biometric trend data is a relatively novel approach to evaluating engagement in health programs. More research is needed to understand how this information can be used to identify an individual’s interest in enrolling in health programming

Examination of the Relationship of Dairy Product Consumption and Dietary Calcium with Body Mass Index Percentile in Children

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships of dairy product and calcium intake with BMI percentile in children. Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, the relationships of dairy product (cup equivalents/day) and dietary calcium (mg/day) (measured by 24 hour recall) consumption with BMI percentile [derived from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sex-specific BMI-for-age growth charts] were assessed in 101 healthy U.S. children (ages 8-13). Results: Subject characteristics included (mean + SD): dairy product consumption (2.8 + 1.4 cup equivalents/day), dietary calcium (1039.4 + 431.4 mg/day), and BMI percentile (70.1 + 29.7). Dairy product intake and dietary calcium were inversely related to BMI percentile (p= 0.005). In subjects &lt;85th BMI percentile (n= 50 normal weight and n= 3 underweight), there was an inverse association of dairy product intake with BMI percentile (p= 0.001) and calcium intake with BMI percentile (p&lt; 0.001). However, no association of dairy product consumption or calcium intake with BMI percentile was observed in overweight (85th percentile ≤ BMI &lt; 95th percentile, n= 19) or obese subjects (BMI &gt; 95th percentile, n= 29). Removal of underweight subjects from the analysis only minimally impacted the results. Differences in dietary intake (MyPyramid food groups, calories, macronutrients, micronutrients) among normal, overweight, and obese subgroups were examined. No significant differences were detected between groups, and removing underweight subjects did not change the findings. Conclusions: These results provide the basis for further investigation into a potential role of dairy and calcium in achieving a healthy body weight in children

Determining the Feasibility of Milk Vending Machines to Improve Calcium Intake Among College Students

Calcium intake declines from late adolescence to young adulthood, in part, due to decreases in accessibility to milk and dairy products. While milk vending has shown demonstrated success in secondary schools, no studies have examined whether milk vending improves calcium intake among college students. We hypothesized that milk and calcium intake would be higher among college students given access to milk vending in their dormitory (milk vending consumers) compared to those lacking access in their dormitory (non-milk vending consumers). Milk vending machines were installed in two dormitories, and two dormitories having non-milk beverage vending served as comparison sites. Students completed a calcium intake questionnaire at the point of milk (n = 73) or non-milk (n = 79) beverage vending purchases. Mean total calcium intake was higher in milk vending consumers (1245 + 543 mg/d) compared to non-milk vending consumers (1042 + 447 mg/d) (p = 0.01). Adjusting for gender and milk vending consumer status, there was a positive association between past month milk vending purchases and daily calcium intake from milk (p \u3c 0.001). Fiftyseven students without in-dormitory access to milk vending reported an interest in milk vending if made available. Milk vending may serve as a novel approach

Determining the Level of Engagement in The Ohio State University Wellness Innovator Program

Workplace wellness programs (WWPs) have the capability to improve and maintain personal health and well-being among employees while reducing health care costs and increasing productivity. Wellness champions have been proposed as a high-reach strategy to facilitate these outcomes through increasing participation in WWPs, promoting a worksite culture of wellness, and positively impacting healthy lifestyle behaviors among employees. Studies show that with proper training, support, and ongoing guidance, peer support programs like worksite wellness champion teams can promote employee well-being. However, little evidence exists regarding factors that can impact the effectiveness of a wellness champion team. This study examines the relationship between employee engagement in a worksite wellness champion program and their direct manager's support of the wellness champion role. Methods: A 9-item cross-sectional survey was developed and administered to wellness champions at a large academic institution. Results: A total of 227 (40 percent) wellness champions responded to the survey. Disengaged wellness champions were more likely to report a low level of manager support for their role than champions moderately, very, or extremely engaged in communicating wellness initiatives (P=.0055), motivating and encouraging colleagues (P<.0001), and planning wellness activities (P=.0458). Conclusion: Findings suggest that the support wellness champions receive from direct managers is a key determinant of their level of engagement in efforts to improve their colleagues’ health and well-being. As employers look to impact the health and productivity of their employees, and generate cost-savings, organizational leadership and manager support of wellness champion teams has the potential to increase employee engagement in WWPs.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Lauren Battista, wellness program manager, Buckeye Wellness/Ohio State College of Nursing, [email protected] (Corresponding Author); Megan Amaya, director of health and wellness, Buckeye Wellness/Ohio State College of Nursing; Leah Mitchell, benefits and wellness analyst, Huntington National Bank; Bernadette Melnyk, vice president for health promotion and university chief wellness officer, dean and professor, Ohio State College of Nursing; Rebecca Andridge, associate professor, Division of Biostatistics, and co-director, Ohio State Public Health Honors Program; Gail Kaye, associate professor, clinical public health, and director of undergraduate programs, Health Behavior and Health PromotionWorkplace wellness champions have been proposed as a high-reach strategy to generate positive health outcomes, reduce health care costs, and increase productivity among employees. They facilitate these out-comes by increasing participation in workplace wellness programs (WWPs), promoting a culture of wellness, and positively impacting healthy lifestyle behaviors among employees. Studies show that with proper training, support and ongoing guidance, peer support programs like WWPs can promote employee well-being. Our study found that the level of support wellness champions received from their direct manager impacted their level of engagement in efforts to improve their colleagues’ health and well-being. As employers look to impact the health and productivity of their employees, and generate cost-savings, organizational leadership and manager support of wellness champion teams has the potential to increase employee engagement in WWPs