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Intervention testing the effectiveness of local engagement in policy as a means to prevent child obesity
Author(s) -
Jones Sonya J,
Frongillo Edward A
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a106-c
Subject(s) - disadvantaged , deliberation , intervention (counseling) , behavior change , psychology , student engagement , obesity , political science , healthy food , medical education , public relations , medicine , social psychology , pedagogy , politics , chemistry , food science , law , psychiatry
Policy is being used increasingly as a strategy to prevent child obesity. Policies often are developed at federal and state levels, and seek to change behavior of schools, in hopes improving children's dietary and activity behavior. We hypothesized that policy will only be effective in changing behavior if the local institution engages in a process to either accept or refine, and assume responsibility for policy. Because students are disadvantaged in policy deliberations and are expected to change their behavior, we also hypothesized that training students to engage in the policy process will lead best to behavior change. We examined the effects of engaging students in the use of research, advocacy, demonstrations and other actions in response to federal and state policies that regulate the school food environment. Student leaders (n=20) were identified and trained in 4th grade, and developed and implemented plans in 5th grade. Evaluation among a sample of all 5th grade students (n=124) revealed that, in 2 schools with student engagement, students improved their intake of fruits and reduced their energy intake during the school day when compared with students in 3 schools that received nutrition education. Students were effective leaders in policy deliberation and advocated for an environment that led to behavior change. This study supports the need for local engagement in policy as a means to prevent child obesity.