title: Peer-led nutrition education programs for school-aged youth: a systematic review of the literature.
abstract: To date, the impacts of school-based, peer-led nutrition education initiatives have not been summarized or assessed collectively. This review presents the current evidence, identifies knowledge gaps, and provides recommendations for future research. PubMed, Scopus, ERIC and Google Scholar were searched for refereed Canadian and American primary studies published between January 2000 and November 2013, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Seventeen articles (11 programs) from Canada (24%) and the United States (76%) were identified. The results were summarized in terms of the study population, program design and main outcomes. Common outcome measures included healthy eating knowledge (n = 5), self-efficacy or attitudes towards healthy eating (n = 13), dietary measures (n = 9) and body mass index (n = 4), all of which tended to improve as a result of the programs. More research is needed to ascertain the effect of improvements in knowledge, self-efficacy and attitudes towards healthy eating on food behaviors. When evaluated, programs were generally well received, while the long-term maintenance of positive impacts was a challenge. Studies of sustainability and feasibility to promote long-term impact are a logical next step.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K1, Canada and cyip45@uwo.ca.
authors.forename: Calvin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.
authors.forename: Rhona M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hanning
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010379:Peer Group; D012574:Schools