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Piloting the use of teen mentors to promote a healthy diet and physical activity among children in Appalachia
Author(s) -
Smith Laureen H.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2010.00264.x
Subject(s) - bonferroni correction , appalachia , body mass index , curriculum , physical activity , psychology , test (biology) , medicine , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , gerontology , physical therapy , pedagogy , paleontology , statistics , mathematics , pathology , biology
Purpose. This study tested a mentoring model that paired trained teens with younger children in an after‐school setting to deliver a curriculum aimed at promoting healthier patterns of dietary intake and physical activity. Design and Methods. Using a pretest–posttest design, group comparisons were made. Descriptive, independent, and paired t ‐test analyses with Bonferroni corrections were conducted in a sample of 72 children. Results. Group differences were noted with the intention to eat healthfully. Mentored children demonstrated greater improvement in knowledge, attitudes, efficacy, perceived support, and body mass index (BMI). Practice Implications. Teen mentors can effectively impact children's intention to improve health behaviors, which is foundational to normalizing BMI.