Texas GROW! EAT! GO! Preliminary Findings of Garden, Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions on Child Behaviors and Obesity

Abstract

ObjectiveThe goal of the Texas GROW! EAT! GO! project is to assess the efficacy of a Coordinated School Health Program (CSH) enhanced with theory-based, family-focused, experiential garden, nutrition and physical activity programs on the prevalence of child obesity in third grade students.Description1,405 students, 1,200 parents, 128 teachers and 53 volunteers enrolled in Cohorts 1 & 2 of the study at five sites in Texas involving 80 classes of 3rd grade students. Title 1 schools at each site were randomly assigned to receive CHS alone or with Walk Across Texas (WAT), Junior Master Gardener (JMG) or both WAT and JMG over a one year period.EvaluationEvaluation included Child BMI and student surveys (four times over 2 years), parent surveys (3 times over 2 years), teacher and volunteer surveys (2 times over 1 year). Process evaluation included teacher records of implementation, school champion interviews, and weekly reports by on-site leaders.Conclusions and ImplicationsData from student and parent surveys (not matched) indicated increased self-efficacy to consume healthy beverages, reduced consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, increased healthy family meal practices and increased knowledge about nutrition and plant science. Combined treatment effects indicated significant increases in vegetable exposure and preference, decreased screen time, increased moderate to vigorous physical activity and selection of fruit juice over soda. Mixed effects were found related to obesity and overweight change.FundingUSDA Grant #2011-6800-30138, (USDA/NIFA Grant.gov # - 10950125). ObjectiveThe goal of the Texas GROW! EAT! GO! project is to assess the efficacy of a Coordinated School Health Program (CSH) enhanced with theory-based, family-focused, experiential garden, nutrition and physical activity programs on the prevalence of child obesity in third grade students. The goal of the Texas GROW! EAT! GO! project is to assess the efficacy of a Coordinated School Health Program (CSH) enhanced with theory-based, family-focused, experiential garden, nutrition and physical activity programs on the prevalence of child obesity in third grade students. Description1,405 students, 1,200 parents, 128 teachers and 53 volunteers enrolled in Cohorts 1 & 2 of the study at five sites in Texas involving 80 classes of 3rd grade students. Title 1 schools at each site were randomly assigned to receive CHS alone or with Walk Across Texas (WAT), Junior Master Gardener (JMG) or both WAT and JMG over a one year period. 1,405 students, 1,200 parents, 128 teachers and 53 volunteers enrolled in Cohorts 1 & 2 of the study at five sites in Texas involving 80 classes of 3rd grade students. Title 1 schools at each site were randomly assigned to receive CHS alone or with Walk Across Texas (WAT), Junior Master Gardener (JMG) or both WAT and JMG over a one year period. EvaluationEvaluation included Child BMI and student surveys (four times over 2 years), parent surveys (3 times over 2 years), teacher and volunteer surveys (2 times over 1 year). Process evaluation included teacher records of implementation, school champion interviews, and weekly reports by on-site leaders. Evaluation included Child BMI and student surveys (four times over 2 years), parent surveys (3 times over 2 years), teacher and volunteer surveys (2 times over 1 year). Process evaluation included teacher records of implementation, school champion interviews, and weekly reports by on-site leaders. Conclusions and ImplicationsData from student and parent surveys (not matched) indicated increased self-efficacy to consume healthy beverages, reduced consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, increased healthy family meal practices and increased knowledge about nutrition and plant science. Combined treatment effects indicated significant increases in vegetable exposure and preference, decreased screen time, increased moderate to vigorous physical activity and selection of fruit juice over soda. Mixed effects were found related to obesity and overweight change. Data from student and parent surveys (not matched) indicated increased self-efficacy to consume healthy beverages, reduced consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, increased healthy family meal practices and increased knowledge about nutrition and plant science. Combined treatment effects indicated significant increases in vegetable exposure and preference, decreased screen time, increased moderate to vigorous physical activity and selection of fruit juice over soda. Mixed effects were found related to obesity and overweight change.