Interactive learning activities for the middle school classroom to promote healthy energy balance and decrease...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatric Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes risk is increasing in middle school students.
• Multicomponent interventions are needed to address this growing public health concern.
• Social marketing and classroom-based programs can promote healthy energy balance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the HEALTHY multicomponent intervention program.
• To assess the implementation fidelity and facilitators of the FLASH classroom program.
• To identify barriers and facilitators for reducing type 2 diabetes risk factors in youth.

Main Methods:

• The HEALTHY trial involved a comprehensive intervention targeting nutrition, physical activity, and behavior.
• The FLASH (Fun Learning Activities for Student Health) program consisted of five classroom modules.
• Process evaluation used surveys, interviews, and observations from teachers and study staff across 21 schools and seven national sites.

Main Results:

• The FLASH program was delivered with high fidelity across the first four modules.
• Peer interaction sessions were most effective for student engagement and knowledge acquisition.
• Key facilitators included study-provided resources and on-site support, while student misbehavior was a significant barrier.

Conclusions:

• The HEALTHY intervention, particularly the FLASH program, shows promise in reducing type 2 diabetes risk factors in middle school students.
• Evidence-based, publicly available HEALTHY materials can inform the development of school wellness policies and curricula.
• While high study support is not scalable, lessons learned can guide future school-based health promotion efforts.