Topic: Obesity, Nutrition/Diet, Physical Activity
Target Population: Adolescents
Sector: School-Based
This program was for adolescents.
Nutrition Essentials, a school-based curriculum, was designed to help youth learn how to make healthy dietary selections and understand and implement physical activity suggestions. This program was based on the MyPyramid dietary recommendations.
No peer-reviewed publications evaluating the effectiveness of this program were located.
The Nutrition Essentials program intended to increase adolescents' general well-being now and in the future. The curriculum focused on healthy eating and increased physical activity and included six lessons that emphasized the following content:
Nutrition Essentials materials included five posters, Food for a Day, How Much Do You Eat, Move It, MyPyramid, and Read It and an interactive CD, NutritionDecision, with games and nutrition education information.
The program was developed in 2007, and the extent to which the program has been used is unknown.
No training was required to implement this program.
Although this program is no longer available, considerations for implementing a similar program could include acquiring buy-in from school administration and teachers, providing teachers with time to prepare for and deliver the curriculum, and understanding that most of the program materials are out-of-date because they do not reflect the most current Food Guidance System from the USDA, MyPlate.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing a program similar to Nutrition Essentials, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you! Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Each lesson required 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
Information about implementation costs was not located.
To move Nutrition Essentials 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
Although this program is no longer available, you may also contact SNAP-Ed Connection by mail Food and Nutrition Service by mail Braddock Metro Center II, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314, phone 1-703-3-5-2062, or eamil snap-edconnection@usda.gov, or visit https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/contact-us
