UNC partners with middle school

UNC researchers are collaborating with a middle school in Selma in hopes of improving the physical activity levels and eating habits of sixth-graders.

The program, dubbed Stand Up, involves six other universities in the country, with each tracking sixth-grade students through their three years of middle school.

Stand Up, which is an acronym for Schools Tackle Activity, Nutrition and Diabetes Prevention, will implement programs that could slow the growing rate of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in children.

The study is an attempt to increase students' awareness of a healthy lifestyle by focusing on nutrition, physical education and social marketing in schools.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease is sponsoring the study because Type 2 Diabetes is increasingly common in younger generations.

"Type 2 Diabetes in children is becoming more and more prevalent, and is a growing concern in long-term health care and costs," said Vivian West, project coordinator and research assistant professor of nursing at UNC.

Researchers are working to change school environments and the future behavior of students.

"We want to determine if an intensive school-based intervention can affect obesity and Type 2 Diabetes," said Joanne Harrell, principal investigator in the program and UNC nursing professor. "If it is successful, we will have evidence to take to school districts across the U.S. and change school policy."

Sept. 20 marked the official kick-off of the program at Selma Middle School with a "Pedometer Challenge."

Students were given pedometers to count their footsteps and then were taught to use them. Similar events, such as a teacher-student pedometer challenge, are planned to encourage students to set personal goals to be more active.

"We are trying to ask everyone at the school to think about how healthy habits can be involved throughout the day," said Katie Giles, the program's health promotions coordinator.

Program coordinators are trying to emphasize that exercise and healthy eating habits can come in many different forms.

"Organized sports don't work for some kids," Giles said. "We are trying to help them figure out other ways to be physically active."

Physical education teachers received lesson plans tailored to the program.

"The goal is to increase the time spent in aerobic activities and decrease the downtime," Harrell said.

Changes in school food service include increasing the consumption of water, fiber and low-fat milk, as well as eliminating or reducing the size of sweet beverages and high- calorie, high-fat snacks.

"We haven't gotten rid of everything unhealthy, but we are trying to reduce the amount of it and encourage fruits and vegetables," said Phyllis Kennel, research dietician for the program.

The new menu was implemented on the first day of school, and so far, Kennel said, no students have complained about the changes. The school also received funding to provide some fruit, such as raisins, free to students.

Catherine Bennett, Selma Middle School principal, reported a positive reaction from the students.

"They have enjoyed participating in the physical education program and have especially enjoyed all the new gadgets like the pedometers and heart monitors," Bennett said.

Evidence from the pilot test will be used in the expanded main trial study, involving more than 100 middle schools and beginning in 2006.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.