Eat healthy to stay fit for life

1. Eat healthy to stay fit for life April Barabash CBSE 7201T Spring 2013

2. Table of Contents Introduction 3-6 Statement of the Problem Literature Review Hypothesis/Participants Method 7 Procedure/Instruments Research Design Threats to Internal and External Validity 8-10 Results 11-18 Discussion/Implications References 19 Appendix 20-27

3. Statement of the Problem • Some children resist making healthy choices in their food and drink. • Parental involvement does not necessarily mean children are making healthy choices.

4. MyPlate.gov -created by Michele Obama in 2010.(“A brief history of USDA good guides,” 2011.) Changing students eating habits is always a challenge.(Gruber, & Halderman, 2009), and (Watson, et al. 2012). Performance is only one factor to dictate a persons health.(Monyeki, Neetens, Moss & Twisk, 2012). Review of the literature Nutrition Plate Unveiled, Replacing Food Pyramid

5. “MyPlate” Pro Easy to understand. (Neuman, 2011), Green is good. (Weil, 2011). “MyPlate” Con “MyPlate” recommends excessive protein consumption (Neuman, 2011). Where’s my Doritos?” (Derocha, 2011). Review of the Literature

6. Hypothesis/Participants Subjects 4th grade of P.S. 235 in Brooklyn “Eat Healthy to Stay Fit” MyPlate nutritional program 5 inter-disciplinary lessons Goal Test the hypothesis Teaching a unit in nutrition encourages a positive attitudinal change in students and will increase their involvement in food choices.

7. Research Design- Experimental Design Procedure/ Instruments Likert questionnaire Two and a half week Unit Plan with handouts MyPlate.gov Smart Board Experimental Design One group pre-test- posttest design OXO Participants 24 SOAR students from P.S. 235 Brooklyn, NY

8. Threats to Internal Validity History: Cultural prejudices Maturation: Short unit Testing/Pre-test Sensitization: Lack of sincerity

9. Threats to Internal Validity Instrumentation: imperfect testing format Selection-Maturation Interaction: Cognitive skills vary Behavior problems

10. Threats to External Validity • Experimenter Effects: • Researchers have their own designs to implement instruments

11. Figure A. Pre test: “Family Influence on Student’s Food Choice

12. Results/ Student Survey/Questionnaire • Part II Self Attitude Rating Scale I) Preferences Attitude Towards Nutrition (X- axis) 16. A meal with vegetables and fruit is important to my family. (1)Strongly disagree (2) disagree (3) agree (4) strongly agree 17. My family always gives me treats when I do something good. • Strongly agree (2) disagree (3) agree (4) strongly disagree 19. I love to eat meals with my family. (1) Strongly disagree (2) disagree (3) agree (4) strongly agree

13. Results/ Student Survey/Questionnaire • Part II Self Attitude Rating Scale I) Preferences Attitude Towards Nutrition (Y- axis) 18. Chips, candy and soda make a good meal. (1) Strongly disagree (2) disagree (3) agree (4) strongly disagree 20. It is fun to learn about food. (1) Strongly disagree (2) disagree (3) agree (4) strongly disagree

14. Figure B. Post Test: “Family Influence on Student’s Food choice

16. Student Survey/Questionnaire • Part II Self Attitude Rating Scale I) Preferences 24. School food is a good and healthy to eat. (1) Never (2) 2- 3 days a week (3) 4- 6 days a week (4) always

17. Figure D: “Healthy Eating Decisions”

18. Student Survey/Questionnaire • Part II Self Attitude Rating Scale I) Preferences 21. When someone tells me a food I eat or drink is not healthy I stop eating or drinking it. (1) Never (2) 2- 3 days a week (3) 4- 5 days a week (4) always

19. References A brief history of usda food guides. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/downloads/MyPlate/ABriefHistoryOfUSDAFoodGuides.pdf Gruber, K. & Halderman, L.(2009). Using the Family to Combat Childhood and Adult Obesity. Preventive Chronic Disease. 6(3):A106. http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2009/ Derocha , G. (2011). Is the new MyPlate food guide effective? dietitians weigh in. A healthier Michigan , Retrieved from http://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2011/06/09/is-the-new-myplate-food-guide-effective-dietitians-weigh-in/ Monyeki, M., Neetens, R., Moss, S., & Twisk, J. (2012). The relationship between body composition and physical fitness in 14 year old adolescents residing within the tlokwe local municipality, south africa: The pahl study. BioMedicalCenter Public Health, 12(374), doi: :10.1186/1471-2458-12-374 Neuman, W. (2011, 05 02). Nutrition plate unveiled, replacing food pyramid. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/business/03plate.html O’Connor-Petruso, S. (2010). Descriptive Statistics Threats to Validity [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://bbhosted.cuny.edu/webapps/portal/ Trochim, W., & Donnelly , J. (2006). The research methods knowledge base. (3rd ed.). Atomic Dog Publishing. Retrieved from http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/index.php Watson, K. Baranowski, T. Thompson, D. (2012). Item response modeling: an evaluation of the children's fruit and vegetable self-efficacy questionnaire. Health Education Research. 21(1); i47-i57. http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=204945 Weil, A. (2011). Myplate usda food guide has cracks. Retrieved from http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03199/MyPlate-USDA-Food-Guide-Has-Cracks.html

20. Appendix A - Parent/Guardian Consent Form Dear Parent/Guardian, I am currently a graduate student at Brooklyn College. This spring semester I am in the process of completing an action research project as one of the requirements of a Masters degree in Childhood Education. I would like to invite your child to participate in my study called, 滴ow to Exercise and Eat Properly to Stay Fit for Life. It will be completed in ten weeks. I am requesting your permission to gather data and incorporate the information your child provides into my thesis. Your child’s name will remain anonymous. If you decide to allow your child to participate, he/she will be required to complete short questionnaires and write short, guided writing assignments. He/She will participate in fitness program called FITNESSGRAM, and learn about healthy foods based on the nutritional program created by Ms. Obama, called MyPlate. They will also learn how to prepare healthy cold food recipes. Your child may be included in observations by other teachers. Through this study, I hope to learn how an atmosphere of enjoyment and non-competitive sports and exercise affects children. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me aprilbarabash@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support.Sincerely, April S. Barabash X_________________________

21. Appendix B - Principal/Administration Consent Form Date Dear Administrator/Principal, My action research project is entitled, ow to Exercise and Eat Properly to Stay Fit for Life. The project requires that I work with one class for ten weeks, three times a week, for 45 minute physical education sessions. Before beginning the research I will request parental permission. Names will remain anonymous in my research project. The class will be given a ten-question pre and post Likert questionnaire that asks their opinions and/or knowledge about exercise and food. Written assignments will be short and guided. The students responses will be analyzed for my project. They will participate in the president’s fitness program called FITNESSGRAM, and learn about healthy foods based on the nutritional program created by Ms. Obama, called MyPlate. They will learn how to prepare a few healthy cold food recipes. Students may be included in observations by other teachers. Through this study, I hope to learn how an atmosphere of enjoyment and non-competitive sports and exercise affects children. This survey will in no way affect my duties as a student teacher. Thank you in advance for your support in this endeavor.Sincerely, April S. Barabash x______________________________ I am fully aware that a research project will be conducted within the school. (please print name) X __________________________date ___ (please sign) X _____________________________ date_____

22. Appendix C- Teacher Consent Form Date Dear Teacher, My name is April Barabash and I am a Brooklyn College graduate student. I am completing my action research project during the Spring term. The title of my action research project is "How to Exercise and Eat Properly to Stay Fit for Life. " I would greatly appreciate your permission to work with your class, three times a week, over a ten-week time period, for 45 minute sessions. For this unit, I will be providing the class with anonymous pre-test and post-test Likert questionnaires asking their opinion/knowledge about exercise and food. The project uses parts of the FITNESSGRAM and the results will be recorded with their name. No student names will appear in the research project. I will also be teaching mini-lessons about nutrition based on the program created by Ms. Obama called MyPlate. They will learn how to prepare a few healthy cold food recipes. Please sign and return the bottom portion of this letter stating whether you would or would not like your class to be used in this research. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, April Barabash x____________________________ Action Research Project ___ I allow my class to be observed in this action research project ____ I do not allow my class to be observed in this action research project. Teacher Signature x _______________ date __________

23. Appendix D- Sample Likert Questions • Demographics • Self Attitude Rating Scale (SARS) • Preferences • Frequenices • Directions: Write your answer in the space provided in the right hand column. • LIKERT SCALE • Name _________________ Date: • Class _______ Ms. Barabash__ • Part I • Demographic survey • 1. What is your age? • (1). 9 (2).10 (3). 11 1. ____ • 2. Are you a boy or a girl? • (1). Boy (2). Girl 2. ____ • 3. How do you describe yourself? • Self Attitude Rating Scale • I) Preferences • Directions - Circle your answer. • 11. I drink soda because it is as healthy as orange juice. • (1) Strongly disagree (2) disagree (3) agree (4) strongly agree 11. ____ • 12. Eating meat everyday keeps us healthy. • (1) Strongly disagree (2) disagree (3) agree (4) strongly agree 12. ____ • 13. If I eat too much I feel bad about myself. • (1) Strongly disagree (2) disagree (3) agree (4) strongly agree 13. ____ • II) Frequencies • 21. When someone tells me a food I eat or drink is not healthy, I stop eating or drinking it. • (1) Never (2) Sometimes (3) Most of the time (4) Always 21. ____ • 22. We have to eat meat everyday. • (1) Never (2) Sometimes (3) Most of the time (4) Always 22. ____ • 23. I eat a lot of snacks between meals. • (1) Never (2) Sometimes (3) Most of the time (4) Always 23. ____

24. Appendix E- Data Figure B. Post Test: “Family Influence on Student’s Food choice

25. Appendix F- Data Figure A. Pre test: “Family Influence on Student’s Food Choice

26. Appendix G - Data Figure D: “Healthy Eating Decisions”

27. Appendix H- Data