Using a non-diet approach to prevent overweight and obesity among 6th to 8th grade youth in a low-income racial/ethnic community in Kansas

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to promote healthy dietary and physical activity (PA) behaviors in adolescents using a six-module nutrition education resource—Wise Eating (WE)—which was designed specifically for the adolescent population based on the concept and principles of Intuitive Eating (IE). Study Design: Repeated measures study with pre-assessment and post-assessment. Outcome Measures and Analysis: This study assessed participating adolescents’ breakfast intake, fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, and PA behaviors; perceptions of IE factors; and perceptions of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables. Independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVAs were used to determine differences in demographic variables and differences between the control and the intervention group. Paired t-tests were performed to compare the behavioral and perception changes from the pre-assessment to the post-assessment. Multiple linear regressions were performed to examine the relationship between TPB variables and FV consumption and PA participation intent and behaviors. Results: The total number of participants at the pre- and the post-assessment was 154 and 148, respectively. Participant’s gender and grade level were evenly distributed. Hispanic was identified as the predominant ethnic population at both the pre- and the post-assessment. At post-assessment, participants in the intervention group significantly increased their breakfast intake frequency, FV consumption frequency, and PA participation frequency (P < .05). Sixth graders had significantly higher breakfast intake frequency, FV consumption frequency, and PA participation frequency when compared with 7th and 8th graders (P < .05). The TPB variables significantly predicted FV consumption and PA intent and behaviors at both the pre- and the post-assessment, and the perceived behavioral control served as the most consistent predictor. For the intervention group, the IE total and Factor 1—Unconditional Permission to Eat scores were significantly increased at the post-assessment when compared with the control group (P ≤ .001). Conclusions: These findings tested the effectiveness of WE education modules and further emphasized the need for more interventions on IE to improve dietary and PA behaviors change in the adolescent population.