This project uses a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to increasing physical activity and improving nutrition for adolescent youth.

Physical Activity:

Based on input from focus group and advisory board, KCMO Parks and Recreation (KCPR) will implement an intramural sports program that is student-centered and highlights fun, inclusive, adaptive environments where all adolescent participants can learn, play, have fun, and create positive social connections with other participants, coaches, and staff. The implementation of the intramural sports intervention will be guided by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) position statement on after school activities and intermural sports program, Schools Should Provide Before-and After-School Physical Activity And Intramural Sport Programs (SHAPE, 2013), a recognized resource to increase physical activity of the CDC (CDC, 2018).  The statement provides evidence-based recommendations to successfully implement a physical activity program outside of school hours. Key guiding recommendations include:1) every student is provided an equal opportunity to participate regardless of physical ability or skill level 2) students are involved in the decision making to establish a variety of sports to be offered 3) Students receive at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity as part of their daily physical activity requirement 4) healthy food choices are encouraged and available 5) promote moderate to vigorous physical activity 6) Provide developmentally appropriate opportunities for students that will promote and enhance motor skill development and self-efficacy 7) Provide activities in a safe and professionally supervised environment. 8) Promote enjoyment, fair play and teamwork. 9) Enhance social interaction and reduce student conflict. 10) Provide opportunities for co-ed physical activity participation, when appropriate, but also focus on the behavioral, social and psychological needs of both genders, their disposition toward physical activity and intramural sport participation, and solutions to promote enhanced engagement in physical activity and intramural sports for all students. 11) Adequate facilities and equipment will be provided. (SHAPE, 2013) 

KCPR will implement an after-school intramural sports program at each intervention middle school that will take place on each day of the school week. At least one hour each day will be dedicated to moderate to vigorous physical activity, separate from learning, setting up, stretching, etc. Sports will be changed on a monthly basis and may provide female-only opportunities to increase girl participation and engagement.  Programming will include traditional sports (basketball, volleyball, etc.) and non-traditional sports (lacrosse, etc) through “try it” clinics, however, elimination-type sports will not be included. All participants will be taught sport basics so that all participants will have the basic knowledge to participate.  Both schools will have one head coach and two assistants. To ensure safe and continued participation, it is important participants have access to the proper personal sports equipment.  Through this grant, KCPR will purchase appropriate sport equipment for each participant, relevant to the student-informed selected sports.  Intervention staff will be trained through the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), a research-based program aimed to provide a positive environment and develop life skills to ultimately increase chances that youth continue sport participation (PCA, n.d.).  The staff will support a fun environment, positive self-image, self-accomplishment, leadership skill development, and conflict resolution.  To specifically recruit and retain girls, current best practice research suggests that the program should be focused on fun, moderate and vigorous PA , building physical literacy and PA related skills, development of social skill (Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity, 2011).

Nutrition:

Healthy snacks will be provided daily in conjunction with the intramural sport programming daily.  Snack options will be informed by focus groups and must align with Missouri’s Eat Smart in Parks guidelines (MU Extension, n.d). To reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, only water will be available during all programming.  

Truman Medical Center’s staff will deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to each school weekly via the Mobile Market, a climate-controlled bus filled with fruits and vegetables. Each week participants will receive enough vegetables to make a meal for a family of five individuals.  

Food will be delivered to the school so that participants can take it home with them. Champions will develop cooking demonstrations with the food that is provided (see below). Grant funds will be used to purchase food wholesale from TMC’s existing distributor. 

A peer-led intervention focused on increasing consumption of dark green, orange, and red vegetables, and fruit, and decreasing sugar sweetened beverage consumption will be developed. Students who are interested in the topic will be invited to be champions at each school. Champions will work with CMH staff to complete the following: 1. Decide which fruits and vegetables will be present during the physical activity programming. 2. Decide which recipes will be provided to participants weekly. 3. Champions and staff will develop content and programming to change their friend’s nutrition behavior. Champions will be recorded making the weekly recipe and post it to snapchat, Instagram, and Youtube.