Nutrition Education Activity Research Articles

EDUCAÇÃO ALIMENTAR E NUTRICIONAL PARA ESCOLARES

OBJECTIVE: To systematize the main actions and interventions of Food and Nutrition Education for schoolchildren and describe the activities found in the national literature. METHODS: Non-systematized literature review on schoolchild feeding education, using the following criteria: articles published in national journals, theses, dissertations, and books on the subject between 2009 and 2022. RESULTS: In Brazil, food is a right provided for as promulgated in the Federal Constitution since 1988, ensuring the right to school feeding to all students in elementary school through a supplementary school feeding program to be offered by the federal, state, and municipal governments, and since February 2010, food was included among the social rights provided for in Article 6 of the Federal Constitution defined by the Organic Law of Food and Nutrition Security. However, there are still challenges facing its realization. CONCLUSION: Nutrition Education actions are important because they have benefits for the health of children and promote early food awareness. However, although it is a mandatory item in the educational curriculum to talk about healthy eating according to the guidelines of the Brazilian National Common Curricular Base (BNCC), this subject is not so deep and addressed in studies since it is difficult to select articles, because besides being mandatory in the educational curricula of schools to teach and practice healthy eating, perhaps not at the level of depth and update desired by the authors. Nutrition Education should be an integral part of the mandatory subjects, especially for students in the early stages of education, also reaching those who live with them and society in general.

Desenvolvimento infantil como elemento intermediário nas políticas públicas de alimentação e nutrição

Abstract Objectives: to carry out a reflection in relation between food and nutrition along with child development. Methods: a bibliographic survey of Brazilian public policies on food and nutrition, followed by a descriptive-reflexive analysis about its nuances facing child development. Results: food and nutritional policies, although they do not bring the theme as the central axis of their actions, contemplating as an intermediate element dealing with the promotion of adequate and healthy food for the Brazilian population and the control and prevention of nutritional deficiencies, through food and nutritional education actions, national supplementation programs, addressed to the maternal and child population and the mandatory fortification of food. Conclusions: despite the emphasis on food and nutritional programs, it is imperative to draw attention to the necessary integration along with other areas related to child development promoting them entirety.

Overweight and Obesity Challenges Among African Americans in Rural Alabama Black Belt

This study aimed at averting challenges of overweight and obesity among African Americans in rural Alabama. Focus group discussions and surveys were used to design a 12-week nutrition education and physical activity program. Results showed a significant improvement (p<0.05) in participants’ knowledge scores. Values for systolic blood pressure significantly reduced (p<0.00). There was an increase in number of participants with normal blood pressure and a reduction in number of participants with stage 2 hypertension. The study highlights that nutrition education and physical activity can lead to improved health outcomes among African Americans in rural Alabama.

Evaluating student food selections after a nutrition education intervention in a montessori community school.

Context: Schools are unique sites for nutrition education interventions due to their ability to provide educational activities as well as meals, allowing for observation of behavior change. Nutrition education and physical activity awareness programs implemented in the school setting have the potential to positively impact students' eating habits. Eating habits are developed at a young age, but few efforts have been made to deliver and assess education interventions in the pre-K through grade 3 age group. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate student food selections before and after a nutrition education intervention was implemented in a Montessori school. Human Subjects Review: Approved as non-regulated research by the UTSW IRB. Study Design: Retrospective exploratory analysis. Setting: A single Montessori community school with students in grades pre-K through grade 3. Instrument: Aggregate lunch food selection data, including total food items offered and total food items left over, via daily production records. Main Outcome Measures: Records were collected from three school years to compare the food acceptability - the percent of food item taken from the total offered - of fruit (F), vegetable (V), F&V, 0% milk, 1% milk, and all milks before and after the implementation of the intervention program. Food acceptability served as a proxy for food consumption. Results: In all years, fruit (82.88%) and all milks (81.74%) were well accepted by students, but vegetables (62.00%) were not. The study found that from year 1 to year 2, there were statistically significant (p <0.0001) decreases in intake in all categories. This trend continued when comparing year 1 to year 3. Conclusions: Prior studies show that even in successful interventions, when vegetable or F&V intake does increase, changes are minimal. These findings corroborate the difficulties prior studies have demonstrated in changing students' food selections for the better, particularly regarding vegetable consumption. This analysis of production records showed a decline in acceptability of foods over the three years. It is unclear if these changes are directly related to the instructional program, due to the presence of confounding factors. Future studies should attempt to reevaluate nutrition education and subsequently conduct a plate-waste study for a more accurate representation of food consumption before and after an intervention.

143 A Youth-Led Digital Education Intervention to Improve Blood Pressure for Adults Who Present to the Emergency Department with Hypertension

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To describe a study to develop, test, and collect implementation data on a youth-led hypertension (HTN) education digital intervention that acts as an electronic tool to guide youth through learning and then teaching adults on how to achieve better HTN control. Adults with uncontrolled HTN are recruited from a New Jersey emergency department (ED). METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Adults with HTN and youth (15-18 years) participate in a remote user-centered design session focus group to provide input in the development of the youth-led HTN education digital intervention. 100 adult ED patients with uncontrolled HTN (blood pressure (BP) ≥130/80 mm Hg) who live with a youth (15-18 years) and the youth themselves are recruited for a randomized control trial (RCT). The adult-youth dyad is randomized to one of two arms, each a 6-week program with youth earning a digital badge: 1) intervention- youth-led HTN education with the adult, or 2) control- youth learn life skills (such as job readiness/resume building). Implementation metrics are collected through a post-intervention survey and qualitative interviews on the digital badge intervention including acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We completed two youth focus groups (total of 8 participants) and data collection is ongoing. Youth have shown great interest in the intervention prototype and thought their peers would find it acceptable. They suggested additions to nutrition education activities, such as adding a sodium tracker and examples of high sodium foods. For the RCT, the primary study outcome is adult BP change (from baseline to 1 week and 2-months post-intervention), with secondary outcomes of HTN knowledge and youth self-efficacy. We anticipate that intervention arm adults will have a more significant decrease in BP than control arm adults. We also expect that HTN knowledge and youth self-efficacy will be higher for the intervention arm. Implementation data collected will allow for improvements to future renditions of the intervention. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Bringing health education home while simultaneously empowering youth is an innovative technology-driven model for improving BP for patients with uncontrolled HTN who may lack access to care. Outcomes of this project will result in a scalable and easily adoptable model to reach an otherwise difficult to reach adult population.

FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AS A STRATEGY TO PROMOTE HEALTH IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

OBJECTIVE: to search the scientific literature for articles on food and nutrition education activities as a strategy for promoting health in early childhood education. METHODOLOGY: This scientific article is a literature review. For the article to be written, the following databases were used: BVS Virtual Health Library, Academic Google, Lilacs and Scielo. Articles using the following indexes were included in the research: (nutrition education activities from 2010 to 2021). DATA SYNTHESIS: The articles collected for the research showed similar results: that nutrition education activities are important working tools for nutritionists and have positive long-term results in the health and eating habits of students. CONCLUSION: food and nutrition education activities are important to teach about eating in a playful way. And, keep these activities and interventions constant, to expose the children to constant learning about healthy eating and unhealthy eating.

Intersetorialidade das ações de alimentação e nutrição: relação com a prevalência de obesidade no estado da Paraíba

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the managerial profile and forms of intersectoral articulation in the framework of food and nutrition carried out in Primary Health Care and verify its association with the prevalence of obesity in the three health macro-regions of the State of Paraíba. Methods: Cross-sectional survey carried out in 151 municipalities in Paraíba, nested in a national population-based survey. Variables related to the manager, managerial profile, intersectoral forms of articulation, and obesity rates among adults were evaluated according to data from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System. Results: All macro-regions presented a mean of adults obesity higher than the national reference for individual over 18 years of age described in the National Health Plan 2020-2023. The presence of the technician responsible for food and nutrition actions was associated with higher rates of obesity. The performance of food and nutrition education actions, and intersectoral practices related to the Food and Nutrition Security sector were associated with lower prevalence of obesity. Conclusion: The effectiveness of the actions cannot be guaranteed by the presence of a specific position for the actions. Food and Nutrition Education actions are recommended to reduce the prevalence of obesity.

Effects of a Community-Based Intervention on the Lifestyle and Health of People at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Benin

Introduction: Worldwide, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing at an epidemic rate. The objective of this study was to measure the effects on lifestyle intervention in subjects at risk of T2D in a West African country. Methods: This study involved Beninese adults at risk of T2D randomly selected from 2 groups of villages: control villages and villages exposed to nutrition education, cooking demonstrations and physical activity sessions. Anthropometric, clinical, and biological measurements were taken in both groups at the beginning and end of the intervention, which lasted 12 months. The paired sample t-test was used to assess the effect of the intervention on the lifestyle of people at risk of T2D. Results: After 12 months of exposure to nutrition education, cooking demonstrations and physical activity sessions in the intervention villages, the mean body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and amount of alcohol consumed per week had significantly decreased. Conversely, the mean intensity of physical activity and food consumption score had significantly increased. In the control group, 5.6% of the people at risk developed to diabetes. The relative risk was RR = 0.20 [0.14 - 0.56]. Conclusion: The intervention significantly improved metabolic indicators, intensity of leisure activity and dietary score. We suggest larger studies to better assess the effect of community-based interventions on the lifestyle and health of people at risk of T2D in Africa.

Selo de Certificação Cantina Saudável: uma proposta para a promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável em cantinas escolares

ABSTRACT Objective Although school is considered a suitable space for health promotion, there have been difficulties adopting healthy eating practices due to many ultra-processed foods offered in school canteens and irregularities in Food and Nutrition Education actions. This study aimed to propose a certification seal to encourage school canteens’ managers in Brazil to adopt actions for the Promotion of Appropriate and Healthy Diets. Methods It is a methodological study in which the “Healthy Canteen Certification Seal” was developed, containing ten guidelines based on the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. The instrument was built based on national and international documents and later was consensually agreed upon by experts using the Delphi method. Results Ten guidelines for the Seal were developed around the following topics: the creation of a Council, availability of written and accessible standards; stimulation of water intake; offer of natural foods, limitation of processed and ultra-processed foods, promotion of educational actions, prohibition of abusive food advertisements, structural changes, and staff training. The overall evaluation of the proposal by the experts was positive concerning its relevance, and more than 70% of positive results were attained for all guidelines. The participants agreed that the Seal would contribute to expanding and enhancing healthy eating practices in schools. Conclusion We believe that this proposal will encourage educational institutions to adopt and implement actions for the Promotion of Appropriate and Healthy Diets, thus contributing to ensuring Food and Nutrition Safety for students.

Educação Alimentar e Nutricional integrada a um modelo educacional holístico

ABSTRACT: Objective: To propose elements for the development of Food and Nutrition Education practices integrated to pedagogical activities for children. Methods: This is a qualitative case study, with participant observation and semi-structured interviews, carried out in a non-formal learning space, that is inspired in anthroposophy, Slow Food movement and Pikler approach. Participants were 13 children aged one to four years and three educators, and the data were interpreted by reflexive thematic analysis, using the Complex Thought as a theoretical framework. Results: The Food and Nutrition Education was consolidated in different pedagogical activities, such as cultivation practices, reverence in dealing with food, rituals and sharing, in an environmental and transdisciplinary approach. Conclusion: Nutrition education activities as part of a relationship with the environment and the planet, seen from a transdisciplinary perspective, is a differential in the formation of principles and values in early childhood education.

The Effect of Nutrition Education Through Instagram The Four Pillars Of Balanced Nutrition Towards Nutritional Knowledge Of Adolescent Boys at Senior High School In Pontianak Kota District

Background: Low nutritional knowledge will lead to wrong eating habits so that it can cause nutritional problems in adolescents. Prevention of these nutritional problems requires nutrition education activities with the theme of the four pillars of balanced nutrition through media that can increase adolescent nutrition knowledge. Currently, Instagram is a popular social media among teenagers that can be used as a medium for nutrition education. Based on this, this study was conducted to determine the effect of nutrition education through Instagram with the theme of the four pillars of balanced nutrition on the nutritional knowledge of young men in Pontianak Kota Districts Public High School; Methods: This type of research is a pre-experimental research design with one group pre test – post test. The subjects of the study were male youths of SMA Negeri in Pontianak Kota sub-district, namely SMA N 4 and SMA N 8 Pontianak City. A total of 35 samples were selected by snowball sampling technique. Data collection techniques through a rolling process from one respondent to another to meet the needs of researchers. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Test to see the difference in nutritional knowledge before and after being given nutrition education; Results: obtained a p value (p-value) of 0.000, which means that there is a difference before and after being given nutritional intervention in the form of nutrition education on the nutritional knowledge of high school boys in Pontianak Kota District; Conclusions: Nutrition education through Instagram with the theme of the Four Pillars of Balanced Nutrition can increase adolescent nutrition knowledge.

Brazilian Food Banks: Overview and Perspectives.

In recent decades food banks have become a worldwide response to the contradicting the coexistence of food losses and waste, on the one hand, and hunger and food insecurity on the other. In Brazil, food banks had a rapid expansion, becoming the object of public policy on Food and Nutrition Security and of non-profit private institutions. Our study presents an unprecedented overview of all the food banks currently active in the Brazilian territory, discussing their performances and perspectives. We conducted descriptive research, aiming to characterize the number, spatial distribution, performance, and modalities of operation of the Brazilian food banks. We mapped 217 active food banks and they all participated in the study. The results revealed the important capillarity of the food banks, which exist in all 27 Brazilian federative units, but also demonstrate the potential and need for expansion. Most of the Brazilian food banks has commercial establishments as their largest donor partners and have fruits and vegetables as their most donated items. They mostly complement the feeding of families at social risk and children served by social institutions. Food and nutrition education actions are offered by all the studied units to donor partners and beneficiary institutions and families.

Changes in OGTT-derived biomarkers in response to lifestyle intervention among Latino adolescents with obesity.

Glucose concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) have been used as biomarkers to differentiate type 2 diabetes risk phenotypes. No studies have examined changes in OGTT-glucose phenotypes following lifestyle intervention among high-risk youth. To examine changes in OGTT-glucose phenotypes following lifestyle intervention and to explore differences in insulin sensitivity and β-cell function among post-intervention phenotypes. Latino adolescents with obesity (n=48, age 15.4 ± 1.0, BMI% 98.2 ± 1.4, female 56.3%) completed a 12-week lifestyle intervention that included weekly nutrition education and physical activity. At baseline and 12 weeks, youth completed a 2-h OGTT with glucose and insulin concentrations assessed at 0', 30', 60', 90' and 120'. Glucose concentrations during the OGTT were used to identify biomarkers, 1-h glucose, glucose response curve and time to glucose peak. Using these respective biomarkers, high-risk (1-h glucose ≥ 155 mg/dl, Monophasic, Late Peak) and lower-risk phenotypes (1-h glucose < 155 mg/dl, Biphasic, Early Peak) were categorized. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by whole-body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) and β-cell function by oral disposition index (oDI). Following intervention, the prevalence of Monophasic phenotypes decreased from 81% to 67% (p=0.048) and 1-h glucose ≥ 155 mg/dl from 38% to 10% (p=0.054). Although Late Peak phenotypes did not significantly change (from 58% to 29%, p=0.200), Early Peak phenotypes at post-intervention demonstrated significantly higher WBISI compared to Late Peak (2.3 ± 0.1 vs 1.7 ± 0.2, p=0.023). OGTT-glucose phenotypes improve following lifestyle intervention among high-risk youth. These findings further support their potential utility as clinical biomarkers to identify diabetes risk and risk reduction in youth.

Understanding Nutrition Education and Physical Activity Instruction in Rural Elementary Schools

We surveyed K-6 classroom teachers in four rural counties in Oregon to ascertain current nutrition and physical activity and/or physical education (PA/PE) instruction, barriers to teaching these subjects, and interest and need for professional development. Although most respondents reported teaching nutrition and PA/PE in their classrooms and appear to place high importance on teaching these subjects, reported delivery time was low. Extension can play an influential role in ensuring that students receive adequate nutrition and PA/PE instructional time by providing support to teachers through professional development, direct education in the classroom, and policy, systems and environmental change.

Food Quality and Nutritional Status of Pregnant and Lactating Women in The Non-Lotted Area on the Outskirts of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Background: To contribute to the fight against malnutrition among women of reproductive age, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of food and the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2018 to September 2018 to explore the frequency and distribution of the dietary, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of pregnant and lactating women as well as their nutritional status. The target population consisted of 124 pregnant women and 118 nursing women age between 15 to 49 years. Results: The prevalence of acute malnutrition was 30.9% among women in general, 1.6% with severe malnutrition according to the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). In terms of the body mass index (BMI), the prevalence of malnutrition among lactating women was 13.5%; 10.5% with moderate malnutrition and 3.5% with severe malnutrition. The women aged between 15 to 49 years had poor dietary diversity. The mean dietary diversity score (DDS) was estimated at 4.14±0.86. This score was 4.19±0.87 in pregnant women and 4.09 ± 0.85 in lactating women. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between them (P = 0.20 and OR = 0.82) [0.4; 1.4]. A substantial proportion (19.8%) of women had a low DDS (&lt; 5), with a rate of 16.9% among pregnant women and 22.9% among lactating women. Conclusion: This study revealed the presence of food and nutrition insecurity in semi-urban areas, particularly in "undeveloped" areas. Improving the living conditions of the populations in these localities, in parallel with nutritional education actions, could help to reduce the disease.

Male involvement in breastfeeding promotion and protection: an assessment of male undergraduates’ views in Sagamu, southwest Nigeria

Objective: Breastfeeding is a cost-effective and evidence-based public health intervention for the control of childhood malnutrition and its consequences. Partners’ support and attitude towards breastfeeding is an important determinant of breastfeeding initiation, continuity, and outcome. This study assessed the perception of breastfeeding and its support among male students in Sagamu, Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 300 male undergraduate students in Sagamu, selected via systematic sampling. Data were collected with the aid of a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 21.0, with results presented as frequencies and proportions. Result: The mean age of respondents was 20±3.5 years. All respondents felt it was important for women to breastfeed their infants; 42% of respondents felt breastfeeding interfered with work; 20% felt women should be entitled to paid maternity leave; 85% will support efforts to promote breastfeeding in public; 95% will encourage their partners to breastfeed while working outside the home; 92% will assist their breastfeeding partners with household chores. Conclusion: Respondents had a good perception of breastfeeding and were willing to support its practice at home, work, and in the community. Adequate engagement of men in nutrition education activities will be most effective in promoting and protecting breastfeeding.

Sermons to Address Obesity in Partnership With African American and Latino Churches

Sermons to Address Obesity in Partnership With African American and Latino Churches

Abstract MP13: Lipid Peroxidation And Inflammatory Response Differentiate With Changes In Liver Fat Among Obese Latino Youth Following Lifestyle Intervention

Introduction: Lipid peroxidation and inflammation are pivotal pathological processes involved in the progression of NAFLD, a prelude to cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle intervention is the cornerstone approach for preventing cardiometabolic disease among high-risk populations, yet studies have not examined the mechanisms by which lifestyle intervention may mediate changes in liver fat in youth. Hypothesis: Lifestyle intervention will decrease hepatic fat fraction (HFF), tumor necrosis alpha (TNF)-α, and malondialdehyde (MDA)-protein adducts. Methods: Latino youth with obesity (n=26, age 13.9±1.3, BMI% 98.1±1.1) and prediabetes completed a 6-month lifestyle intervention that included nutrition education (1 d/wk) and physical activity (3 d/wk). HFF was measured by MRI before and after intervention. Fasting serum samples were collected for measurement of lipid peroxidation, measured by MDA-protein adducts, and inflammation, measured by TNF-α. Repeated measures ANOVA models were used to examine the effect of lifestyle intervention on HFF, MDA-protein adducts, and TNF-α. Data are presented as Mean±SE. Results: The intervention led to significant decreases in HFF (from 7.0±1.1% to 5.4±0.7%, p=0.027) and TNF-α (from 1.7±1.0 to 1.5±0.1 pg/mL, p=0.050), but not MDA-protein adducts (from 266.4±28.4 to 253.8±29.3 pmol/mL, p=0.105). However, there was significant heterogeneity in changes in HFF whereby those with the greatest response (n=14) decreased HFF by -44.0% while non-responders (n=12) increased HFF by 67.5%. HFF responders exhibited significantly greater reductions in MDA-protein adducts (from 256.2±39.4 to 228.1±40.0 pmol/mL, Δ-10.1%) compared to HFF non-responders (from 278.4±42.5 to 283.7±43.2 pmol/mL, Δ2.0%; p=0.023). TNF-α was reduced in HFF responders (from 1.8±0.2 to 1.5±0.1 pg/mL, Δ-17.8%) compared to HFF non-responders (from 1.5±0.2 to 1.5±0.1 pg/mL, Δ-4.4%) but was not significant (p=0.231). Conclusions: Reductions in HFF through lifestyle changes were associated with greater reductions in markers of lipid peroxidation, but not inflammation. The effect of lifestyle intervention on HFF may be mediated by markers that extend beyond traditional clinical risk factors among high-risk youth.

Prevalence and associated factors of dyslipidaemia among university workers in Southeast Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe job one does for a living may increase ones propensity to cardiovascular diseases due to many associated risk factors. University staff may be at high risk of dyslipidaemia, a major cardiovascular disease risk factor. This study assessed prevalence of dyslipidaemia and its associated factors among the staff of University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 386 workers selected through a 4-stage sampling technique was conducted. Data were obtained through questionnaire and lipid profile determination. Bivariate analysis using Cochran and Mantel-Haenszel test was used to determine associations between dyslipidaemia and selected variables. Odds ratios and significance at p < 0.05 were reported.ResultsRespondents who were 46 years and above accounted for 51.3 % while 95.3 % had tertiary education. Administrative/technical staff were 76.4 % while academic staff were only 23.6 %; 73.8 % were senior staff and 26.2 % were junior staff. More than half (60.4 %) consumed alcohol above recommendation. Lipid biomarkers of the workers were not sex dependent (p > 0.05). Few (23.4 and 6.5 %) of the respondents had borderline high and high total cholesterol values, respectively. Whereas none (0.0 %) had low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), borderline low values were observed among 1.3 %. High low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) affected 1.3 %. Triglyceride was high among 3.9 %; 20.8 % had high atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and 2.6 % had impaired fasting blood glucose (IFBG). Dyslipidaemia had a prevalence of 54.5 % with female dominance. Hypercholesterolemia with high LDL-c was the commonest combined dyslipidaemia observed (7.8 %). Dyslipidaemia was dependent on hypercholesterolemia (OR = 0.352, 95 % C.I.=0.245–0.505), high LDL-c (OR = 0.462, 95 % C.I.=0.355-0.600) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 0.462, 95 % C.I.=0.355-0.600). Alcohol intake above normal was associated with almost 6 times higher risk of dyslipidaemia (OR = 5.625, 95 % C.I.=1.062–29.799).ConclusionsDyslipidaemia is a problem among the workers with hypercholesterolemia in combination with high LDL-c and hypertriglyceridemia compounding the problem. Nutrition education and physical activity are advocated to prevent cardiovascular events among the university staff.

Trends in health behavior and weight outcomes following enhanced afterschool programming participation

BackgroundThe United States needs to increase access to effective obesity prevention and treatment programming for impoverished youth at risk for health disparities. Although recommended, schools have difficulty consistently implement evidence-based obesity programing. We report on the effectiveness of adding structured nutrition education and minimum physical activity (PA) requirements to standard middle school after-school programming.MethodsUsing a longitudinal pre-post study design, we evaluated program effectiveness at one year on target behaviors on students recruited during three consecutive school years (2016–2018). We used generalized linear (or logistic) mixed-effects modeling to determine: 1) impact on healthy weight and target healthy behavior attainment, and 2) whether target behavior improvement and weight change were associated with after-school program attendance. The seven target behaviors relate to eating healthy, physical activity, and sleep.ResultsOver the three years, a total of 76 students enrolled and completed one year of programming (62% Hispanic, 46% girls, 72% with BMI > 85th %ile, 49% with BMI > 95th %ile). Of students with BMI > 85th %ile, 44% maintained or decreased BMI Z-score. There were improvements (non-significant) in BMI Z-score and the adoption of four healthy eating behaviors: fruit, vegetables, sugar-free beverages, and unhealthy snack food. Students with higher after-school attendance (> 75%) had greater improvements (non-significant) in composite behavior scores, BMI Z-score, and in most target behaviors (5/7) than students with lower after-school attendance (< 75%). Sleep improvements were significantly associated with BMI Z-score decrease (Beta = − 0.05, 95% CI (− 0.1,-0.003), p = 0.038.)ConclusionsEnhancement of existing after-school programming with structured nutrition education and minimum physical activity requirements demonstrates positive improvements in several health behaviors and weight outcomes. Adopting enhanced after-school programming increases access to health activities and may bring us closer to solving obesity in at-risk youth in impoverished communities.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.govidentifier (NCT number):NCT03565744. Registered 21 June 2018 – Retrospectively registered.