title: A Structured Peer-Mentoring Method for Physical Activity Behavior Change Among Adolescents.
abstract: Despite national guidelines for regular physical activity, most adolescents are not physically active. Schools serve an estimated 60 million youth and provide an educational environment to meet the current physical activity guidelines. The obesity epidemic and chronic disease comorbidities associated with physical inactivity are not likely to be reversed without a strong contribution from local schools. This article describes how a structured peer-mentoring method provides a feasible, flexible, and tailored means to meet the current guidelines for best practice in a school setting. Structured peer mentoring using trained high school mentors to support behavior change in younger peers is an innovative method to meeting the School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Through structured peer mentoring, adolescents are provided consistent social support in a caring and personalized manner. This support builds skills and competencies enhancing self-efficacy to sustain a lifetime of physical activity behavior.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA smith.5764@osu.edu.
authors.forename: Laureen H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Rick L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Petosa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D015444:Exercise; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D000071252:Mentoring / Q000379:methods*; D008611:Mentors; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010379:Peer Group
keywords: best practices/practice guidelines; exercise; health education; mentoring; obesity; school nursing