The SNACK (Smart Nutrition and Conditioning for Kids) was developed to improve the fitness and health of elementary school age children while empowering parents to encourage healthy food choices. A network of professionals working together to improve children’s health and reduce childhood obesity and diabetes was established in Trenton, NJ. Collaboration with community partners increases the opportunity for sustainability and number of participants that can be impacted.
Methods: An experimental pretest/posttest design was used to measure nutrition knowledge, healthy food choices, and children’s fitness levels of the seventy-one participants. Two investigator developed surveys based on the CATCH program were completed, Nutrition Knowledge and Healthy Choices. Nutrition lessons were provided to second grade students in an urban and urban rim elementary school during physical education class. SNACK included physical activity and health education in fitness, healthy eating, and healthy lifestyles.
Results: Paired t-tests determined differences pre/posttest on both surveys. Pre- and post-fitness test scores for PACER, push-up, curl-ups, standing long jump, & back saver single-leg sit & reach (right & left). Independent t-tests were utilized to examine differences between the experimental and control groups pre and post-fitness test scores. All analyses were carried out using SPSS version 22.0) and statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. SNACK intervention group students performed better on the Healthy Choices (p< 0.05) posttest compared to the control group. Significant differences between groups was found in 4 areas: PACER, push-up, curl-ups, and long jump (p < .05).
Conclusion: Results suggest that it is possible to improve the health of children as young as 7 years old in an 8-week collaborative nutrition and physical activity intervention. Other elements of the program measured include: changes in lifestyle, eating choices, portion control, and knowledge of risk factors leading to childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes in children grades 2-3. This study was small and should be replicated using larger numbers of students and additional grade levels.