1. Effects of Peer Influence in Adolescents through Skill-Share
Health Promotion Approach
Yun-Ting Lee, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center
Mentor: Lynn Fredericks, FamilyCook Productions
Conclusion
Peer involvement and skill sharing contribute to
adolescents’ motivation to adopt and maintain healthy
lifestyles. Modifying social environmental context may
facilitate the efficacy of school wellness program and
health promotion approaches.
The present finding provides promising insights and
strategies for the design of future public health
intervention. Further investigation should be directed at
the actual behavioral changes in adolescents and the
effectives of peer influence in the prevention and
treatment of childhood obesity.
Reference
1. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015 – 2020 Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition.
3. Godin K, Leatherdale ST and Elton-Marshall T. A
systematic review of the effectiveness of school-based
obesity prevention programmes for First Nations, Inuit
and Metis youth in Canada.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to my mentor, Lynn Fredericks, IHN
faculties, Sharon Akabas, PhD, Sally Lederman, PhD
and all the members of FamilyCook Productions,
Institute of Human Nutrition, HealthCorps and Albert
Einstein College of Medicine.
Two thirds of student audience (N=30) were able to recognize the
Dietary Guidelines related purpose of Share Activities, especially eating
breakfast. 59% of student audience (N=51) participated in more than one
Share Activities, while 66% of participants reported an intention to
spread healthy skills they’ve learned. More than half of student audience
(N=34) were motivated to eat healthfully, whereas nearly half of them
(N=29) has already improved dietary behaviors. Although the majority of
student audience (N=6) did not intend to be more active, increased
physical activity was reported in 60% of them.
This formative evaluation of Share Activities demonstrated that peers
may indeed positively influence adolescents by increasing awareness
about health, greater interest of gaining knowledge and building health
related skills, consequently, motivation to adopt and maintain healthy
habits. Strategies with the focus on availability, accessibility and
affordability of healthy foods were suggested to support healthy eating.
Introduction
The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown
considerably in recent years. Development of programs that
encourage healthy eating and physical activity habits among young
children and adolescents within school was found to encourage
behavioral changes and increase awareness of healthy
opportunities.
From the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines (DGs) ’ recommendations,
six primary areas of focus were identified for a community-based
research intervention: increasing breakfast consumption,
reducing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), increasing fruits &
vegetables intake, decreasing frequency of fast/junk food,
increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary behaviors.
Objectives
To investigate how peer influence may enhance adolescents’
adherence to DGs. Specifically, the efficacy of peer-led, skill-
building health promotion approach, “Share Activities”, targeted to
specific DG’s on motivating youth to use these strategies to
improve their eating and physical activity behaviors.
SETTING
8 HealthCorps affiliated public high schools in New York City.
REACH
A total of 29 Share Activities (Make One Share One, Fitness
Share or Yoga Share) were conducted, 73 student leaders (21
boys, 52 girls) and 79 student audience (30 boys, 29 girls)
completed self-reported Share Activities Assessments. Key
Informant Interviews were conducted with 5 HealthCorps
coordinators and 2 participating students.
Results
The average student self-reported
rating for the “overall success” of the
Share Activities has increased
ascendingly from the first activity
(4.3/5) to the last (4.7/5).
Willingness toSharewith
Peers andFamily(N=51) MotivationtoMakeBehavioral Changes (N=40)
Adoptionof HealthyBehaviors (N=29) Maintanace of HealthyBehaviors (N=34)