CP2 - Continued Evaluation of the Nutrition and Health Awareness Program on Health Knowledge and Literacy with an Update to Current Issues

Poster Type: Research

Primary Funding Source: A.T Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Category: A. T. Still University

Research Objectives: The purpose of this project was to provide health education to elementary students in order to potentially impact their understanding of a healthy lifestyle. The goal was to acknowledge major pediatric population concerns identified in Mesa, Arizona, including childhood obesity, lack of physical activity, nutrition, vaping and internet safety.

Study Design/Methods: This study consisted of approximately 104 fourth grade students from Mesa, Arizona who participated in five weekly, interactive, one-hour sessions of supplemental educational instruction provided by the Nutrition and Health Awareness organization administered by ATSU-SOMA students. The educational topics included exercise, nutrition labels and portion sizes, dental hygiene, internet safety, and vaping. The lessons were completed over a five-week span. ATSU-SOMA students administered a baseline survey to assess knowledge of these topics at the start of the project and repeated the same survey after the curriculum was complete. A paired t-test was used to compare pre and post-survey data.

Principal Findings and Quantitative/Qualitative Results: 105 students participated; 104 pre and post surveys were completed. Students actively participated in lessons eagerly answering questions. Significant (p=<0.05) increase in correct responses was found for questions involving cholesterol intake, physical activity, food groups, dental hygiene, vaping illnesses and diabetes prevention indicating an increase in understanding regarding those topics. Improvements in understanding of internet safety were nearly significant at p=.055 and a 10.58% increase. Average scores were 66.53% and 79.21% for pre and post questionnaires respectively (12.68% increase, p=2.63313X10^-10). Afterwards, students also reported increases in exercise frequency, how highly they rated their health, and general understanding of their health.

Conclusions on Impact on Health Centers: Overall, this study showed a statistically significant improvement in the 4th grader’s understanding of a healthy lifestyle regarding exercise, food groups, the dangers of vaping, calories, type II diabetes, and along with and increased positive outlook of their general health. Moreover, this age group already had awareness of proper internet safety and vaping prevention but there was room for improvement aided by the program.

There are plans to present this project to the Adelante health center leadership. Future projects may focus on methodologies to involve entire families in preventive health activities.

Author(s):

Amelia Krouse, OMS Student, A.T Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona