ARS | Publication request: BOY SCOUT 5 A DAY ACHIEVEMENT BADGE: OUTCOME RESULTS OF A TROOP & INTERNET INTERVENTION

Submitted to: International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2006
Publication Date: July 1, 2006
Citation: Thompson, D., Baranowski, T., Baranowski, J., Cullen, K., Jago, R., Watson, K., Liu, Y. 2006. Boy Scout 5-A-Day Achievement Badge: outcome results of a troop & internet intervention [abstract]. In: Fifth Conference of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Book, July 13-16, 2006, Boston, Massachusetts. p. 193.

Technical Abstract: Objective: A Boy Scout Five-A-Day Achievement Badge program (SAD), with both troop and Internet-based activities was developed and implemented, and its effect on fruit-juice (FJ) and low-fat vegetable (LV) consumption and psychosocial mediators evaluated. Methods: The nine-week program included 20 minutes of weekly troop time, plus 20-25 minutes of weekly Internet programming. Forty-two troops (n=473 Scouts) were randomly assigned to treatment or comparison groups. The intervention was delivered in two waves: Spring and Fall. Using previously validated measures, data on FJ and V consumption (food frequency questionnaire), psychosocial mediators (FJ and V self-efficacy, preferences, and home availability), and social desirability were collected at baseline, immediate post (post 1), and 6 months later (post 2). Results/findings: Significant changes were observed in FJ consumption, home availability, and self efficacy in the treatment group, as compared to the comparison group, immediately following the intervention (increases of 0.94 vs 0.56; 1.87 vs .0.58; 0.68 vs -0.77, respectively), but not 6 months later. Between baseline and post 2, LV consumption increased significantly in the Spring wave comparison group, but not in the treatment group (0.85 vs-0.14). Conclusions: A Boy Scout troop-plus-internet intervention promoting FJ and LV consumption resulted in promising changes in FJ consumption. Research is needed to effectively use these channels to further enhance FJ and LV consumption over longer time intervals.