Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #166869
Title: USING SERVICE LEARNING TO ENCOURAGE NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN A SUMMER WORK PROGRAM

Author
item AVIS, A - DELTA NIRI
item LOFTON, K - DELTA NIRI
item LUCAS, G - DELTA NIRI
item VASSEL, K - DELTA NIRI
item STRICKLAND, E - DELTA NIRI
item PERKINS, H - HOLLANDALE NIRI

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/27/2004
Publication Date: 10/5/2004
Citation: Avis, A., Lofton, K., Lucas, G., Vassel, K., Strickland, E., Perkins, H. 2004. Using service learning to encourage nutrition and physical activity among high school students participating in a summer work program. In: 2004 Annual Community-Campus Partnership for Health Proceedings. p. 118.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Context: The Hollandale Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative (Hollandale NIRI) is a community-based collaboration between the city of Hollandale, Mississippi and university partners. Its primary goal is to improve nutrition and physical activity in this small, rural community. Objective: To increase nutrition and physical activity knowledge, self-efficacy, and skills of community teenagers through service learning. Methods: Seventeen high school students were selected to participate in a summer, nutrition-focused work program. Students were placed in 6 worksites with nutrition and physical activity-related functions. These included the school district child nutrition program office, summer feeding program sites, the Early Headstart center, and the Hollandale NIRI project office. The students also participated in enrichment activities once per week for eight weeks. These included hands-on experiences in making healthy food choices, increasing physical activity, and reducing the impact of obesity in their community through service learning. Process evaluation of the program included questionnaires targeting worksite coordinators, enrichment instructors and participants. Questionnaires were used to assess nutrition and physical activity knowledge and self-efficacy regarding fruit and vegetable consumption. Students developed their own nutrition and physical activity intervention proposals using knowledge and skills gained from enrichment and work experiences. Main outcomes: Students gained practical experience through nutrition and physical activity education that focused on making healthy food choices, increasing physical activity and reducing the impact of obesity in their community. Conclusion: As a result of this service-learning experience, students were able to apply knowledge gained from enrichment to develop interventions that could improve health in their community. Supported by USDA, ARS Project #6251-53000-004-00D