Program Evaluation

Nutrition Intervention Establishes Healthier Food Choices: A Summary of Food Consumption Among California's Adolescents

Figure 1.

Over 3,300 students in more than 100 classrooms throughout California comprised the study population. The sample reflected similar state demographics for socio-economic status, ethnicity and gender.

To measure the impact of EYO, the sample was split into two groups. One group received EYO instruction (the "intervention group") while the other group did not receive EYO instruction (the "control group"). Each group completed three separate food records. More than 3,000 food records, completed by the students, were collected. Food Record 1 was gathered by both groups before the intervention group received EYO. Food Record 2 was gathered by both groups directly after the intervention group received the EYO program. And Food Record 3 occurred one month after the second collection.

A team of registered dietitians translated the food record data into numbers of servings of each food group in the Food Guide Pyramid: Breads & Grains; Fruit; Vegetables; Milk & Milk Products; and Meat, Beans, & Nuts. The total number of Extras were calculated, as well as soda consumption.

Figure 2.

Results Baseline data from Food Record 1 (Figure 1) clearly indicates that California's middle school students do not consume the recommended number of food group servings for any food group (with the exception of Meat, Beans, & Nuts). Comparing the results from the intervention group between Food Record 1 and Food Record 2 demonstrates that EYO had a distinct, positive impact on all food group choices of middle school students. After EYO instruction the intervention group increased its food consumption of all food group foods, and decreased consumption of Extras and sodas (Figure 3).

Even one month after receiving EYO (Food Record 3), the intervention group still displayed a positive increase in food group foods and a decrease in Extras and sodas over Food Record 1.

Further analysis shows that the findings discussed above hold true for differences in socio-economic status, ethnicity and gender.

It is also important to note that there were no changes in food consumption among the control group at any time between Food Record 1 and Food Record 3. Since there were no changes in food consumption in the control group, it can be assumed that the positive changes in food consumption among the intervention group are due to EYO instruction.

Discussion
EYO's focus on increasing student's knowledge and awareness, and allowing them to put this into practice -- which is the basis of the behavior change model -- clearly achieves positive food choices among California's middle school students. A key principle of EYO is to recognize "small starts," that is, focus on improvement versus perfection. It is unrealistic to believe that students will achieve the recommended number of food servings (i.e., "perfection") after a 7-day nutrition program. The complex process of developing positive, healthy eating behaviors is attained with constant and consistent reinforcement not only in the classroom or school, but also at home and in the community. Improvements in food choices, achieved with EYO, bring children a step closer to a healthy lifestyle.

Each Dairy Council of California program features the behavior change model. This study demonstrates that this model has a positive effect on the eating habits of adolescents (a very challenging group to reach). We are confident that children reached by all Dairy Council's programs have the potential to successfully improve their food choices.

Although this study addressed food choices only, the same behavior change model is utilized to improve physical activity choices. EYO employs a variety of teaching strategies to reinforce food choices and physical activity as critical components to lifelong health.

Dairy Council of California wishes to thank the following teachers and their students for participating in this study: