title: Piloting the use of teen mentors to promote a healthy diet and physical activity among children in Appalachia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study tested a mentoring model that paired trained teens with younger children in an after-school setting to deliver a curriculum aimed at promoting healthier patterns of dietary intake and physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a pretest-posttest design, group comparisons were made. Descriptive, independent, and paired t-test analyses with Bonferroni corrections were conducted in a sample of 72 children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group differences were noted with the intention to eat healthfully. Mentored children demonstrated greater improvement in knowledge, attitudes, efficacy, perceived support, and body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Teen mentors can effectively impact children's intention to improve health behaviors, which is foundational to normalizing BMI.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, USA. smith.5764@osu.edu
authors.forename: Laureen H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001061:Appalachian Region; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects