title: Perceptions of adolescents involved in promoting lower-fat foods in schools: associations with level of involvement.
abstract: This article describes perceptions of adolescents involved in peer-led school-based nutrition promotions encouraging lower-fat food purchases and assesses the differences by level of student involvement. Surveys were administered at schools. Data were collected from 397 high school students from 10 Minnesota schools randomized to the intervention condition of the Trying Alternative Cafeteria Options in Schools study. Students were categorized as highly involved (n=54) or less involved (n=343) based on their level of involvement in promotional activity implementation. Chi 2 tests were conducted to measure the differences between highly-involved and less-involved students in perceptions and attitudes about lower-fat foods. Highly-involved students were significantly more likely than less-involved students to report more healthful eating behaviors and positive attitudes toward lower-fat foods. Student involvement in nutrition interventions should be integrated into programs aimed at increasing healthful food choices among adolescents.
authors.affiliation: School Nutrition Association, Alexandria, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Samia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamdan
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Story
authors.forename: Simone A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Jayne A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fulkerson
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004045:Dietary Services / Q000592:standards*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota; D009042:Motivation; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012574:Schools
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats