title: Impact of implementation and conduct of the HEALTHY primary prevention trial on student performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether a school-wide intervention program to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D) affected student achievement, rates of disciplinary actions, and attendance rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  The HEALTHY primary prevention trial was designed to evaluate a comprehensive school-based intervention to reduce factors for T2D, especially overweight and obesity. Students were followed up from beginning of sixth grade (Fall 2006) through end of eighth grade (Spring 2009).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two middle schools at seven U.S. sites.
  
  
  METHODS
  Schools were randomized in equal numbers at each site to intervention (21 schools, 2307 students) or control (21 schools, 2296 students). Intervention . An integrated school-wide program that focused on (1) foods and beverages, (2) physical education, (3) classroom-based behavior change and education, and (4) social marketing communication and promotional campaigns.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aggregate (grade- and school-wide) test performance (passing rate), attendance, and referrals for disciplinary actions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics and tests of intervention versus control using mixed linear models methods to adjust for the clustering of students within schools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences between intervention and control schools in test performance for mathematics (p = .7835) or reading (p = .6387), attendance (p = .5819), or referrals for disciplinary action (p = .8671).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The comprehensive HEALTHY intervention and associated research procedures did not negatively impact student achievement test scores, attendance, or referrals for disciplinary action.
authors.forename: Arthur E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Marsha D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirst
authors.forename: Myles S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Faith
authors.forename: Linn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Roberto P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Treviño
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012572:School Health Services; D014481:United States
keywords: Absences; Childhood Obesity; Discipline; Health focus: risk prevention; Manuscript format: research; Middle School; Outcome measure: standard test scores, absenteeism, disciplinary actions; Prevention Research; Primary Prevention Trial; Research purpose: program evaluation; Setting: school; Standard Test Scores; Strategy: education, skill building/behavior change, incentives; Study design: randomized trial (specifically primary prevention trial); Target population age: middle school youth; Target population circumstances: type 2 diabetes risk profile