This program is for adolescent boys, who are 12 to 14 years old, are deemed disadvantaged, and are at risk for obesity, and their parents.

Active Teen Leaders Avoiding Screen Time (ATLAS), a school-based program, intends to provide adolescent boys with opportunities to be physically active and reduce recreational screen time.

One cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 361 adolescent boys living in low-income communities. At the end of the 8-month program, there were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups for body mass index, waist circumference, percent body fat, overall physical activity (PA), or moderate-to-vigorous PA. Significant decreases were observed for screen-time use and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in the intervention group compared to the control group. There was also a significant increase in the intervention group for upper body muscular endurance and resistance training skill competency when compared to the control group. Eighteen months from baseline, additional measures were assessed to examine sustainability of outcomes. No outcomes were sustained except for the reduced screen time and increased resistance training skill competency in the intervention group.

In an effort to increase the physical well-being of male students, at-risk students are identified by school personnel and are asked to complete a two-item questionnaire about their PA and screen-time behavior. Male adolescent students who do not engage in 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per day and/or who use greater than 2 hours of screen-based recreation per day are eligible to participate.

The program is based on Self-Determination Theory and Social Cognitive Theory and intends to motivate students to engage in PA and support students’ needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness through the following components:

• Students attend three interactive seminars that discuss PA, screen-time usage, resistance training, and leadership;
• Students complete enhanced sport sessions at school that include a warm-up; resistance training skill development; a short duration, high-intensity fitness challenge; modified games that include strength and aerobic activities; and a cool down with a discussion of program messages;
• Students participate in lunchtime PA mentoring sessions in which they instruct younger boys about resistance training;
• Parents receive newsletters containing information about the consequences of excessive screen-time use among youth, strategies for reducing screen-time use in the family home, and tips for avoiding conflict when implementing rules around screen time;
• Students are provided pedometers to self-monitor and set goals to increase daily step counts; and
• Students are provided a smartphone application and website to monitor their PA, record their fitness challenge results, receive individualized motivational messaging and an assessment of their resistance training skills, and set goals around PA and screen time.

The program was tested in a cluster randomized controlled trial from 2012 to 2013. Outside of this study, the extent to which the program has been used is unknown.

The program is facilitated by teachers. Teachers attend two professional development workshops throughout the program (pre- and mid-program). Each workshop lasts 6 hours. In addition, teachers are trained by a practicing fitness instructor (i.e., personal trainer) to deliver the enhanced sport sessions using the SAAFE (Supportive, Active, Autonomous, Fair, and Enjoyable) teaching principles.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring buy-in from schools, parents, and adolescents; finding time in the school day to facilitate 20, 90-minute physical activity sessions for 8 months; ensuring students have access to a smartphone or the internet; and acquiring funds to purchase fitness equipment.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing ATLAS, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you! Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu

The program lasts 8 months. Participants attend three, 20-minute seminars; 20 sport sessions at school and each lasts 90 minutes; and six, 20-minute lunchtime PA mentoring sessions. Participants also receive a smartphone application and website to use throughout the program. Time to utilize these components will vary.

Schools are provided fitness equipment to facilitate the program, and this cost is approximately $1,500. Information about additional program costs was not located.

To move ATLAS to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program. Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact David Lubans by phone +02-4921 2049 or email david.lubans@newcastle.edu.au

Lubans et al. (2016), Smith et al. (2014a), and Smith et al. (2014b).