Mark, Set, Go! School-Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Program: A Five-Year Evaluation.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatric Obesity
• Health Education

Background:

• Pediatric obesity is a significant public health issue, particularly in underserved urban communities.
• School-based interventions offer a viable platform for addressing childhood obesity.
• The "Mark, Set Go!" program was designed to tackle these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the "Mark, Set Go!" school-based intervention.
• To assess the intervention's impact on pediatric participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding nutrition, physical activity, and screen time.
• To determine changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) and related health behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A 9-week classroom-based intervention was delivered by high school peer educators to 954 fifth- and sixth-grade students.
• A matched design utilized pre/post intervention surveys on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.
• Data included height, weight, and 24-hour pedometer recordings for analysis.

Main Results:

• 82.4% of participants completed both pre- and post-tests, showing improved knowledge and healthier behaviors.
• Statistically significant decreases in BMI were observed overall, particularly in boys and overweight students.
• Positive changes noted in screen time, daily exercise, and sweetened beverage consumption, with greater effects in girls.

Conclusions:

• The school-based, peer-educator-led "Mark, Set Go!" intervention effectively improved participants' knowledge and healthy behaviors.
• The program demonstrated success in addressing key factors contributing to pediatric obesity.
• Findings support the use of school-based peer education models for health interventions in urban youth.