Ready. Set. ACTION! A Theater-Based Obesity Prevention Program for Children

NCT ID: NCT00604513

Last Updated: 2019-11-01

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 181 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2006-09-30
• Study Completion Date: 2007-05-31

Brief Summary

The goal of Ready, Set, ACTION! (RSA) is to test the feasibility of implementing a theater-based after-school program to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and positive body image with children in grades four through six.

Detailed Description

The goal of Ready, Set, ACTION! (RSA) is to test the feasibility of implementing a theater-based after-school program to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and positive body image with children in grades four through six. This study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIDDK), is a collaboration between the University of Minnesota, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, Saint Paul Public Schools, and Illusion Theater of Minneapolis. Four participating Saint Paul schools were randomly assigned to receive either a control or intervention after school program led by artists/educators from Illusion Theater. Students in the intervention schools received a fourteen-session curriculum with eight booster sessions, in which they received the following messages: increase fruit, vegetable, and water consumption, decrease soda pop, increase physical activity, and decrease television. Families received nutrition and activity information packets themed for each session. The messages were reinforced by theater education, dance, and music. A play structured around the aforementioned messages that included scene vignettes, choreographed dance, and professionally composed music was developed and rehearsed by the children. In December 2006 the children performed the play for their families at Illusion Theater in downtown Minneapolis. They later performed for their peers at school and again for family and school administrators at the conclusion of the program.

Conditions

Obesity

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

1

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Ready. Set. ACTION! Protocol

Intervention Type: OTHER

The intervention included three components: theater sessions; booster sessions; and family outreach. After-school theater sessions were conducted in the fall in the intervention schools. Sessions included: a "check-in" about changes made over the past week; healthy snacks; a movement component that involved fun and easy activities; and creating/education. Children at intervention schools participated in weekly after-school booster sessions in the winter to further address the behavioral messages addressed during the intervention. Throughout the program, weekly Fun \& Fitness packs were sent home to families that included a healthy food with a simple recipe using that food or fitness incentives for the family. There were also two family events: a theater performance, and a reception.

2

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

Control

Intervention Type: OTHER

The control condition also participated in a theater-based intervention that addressed a health topic unrelated to weight, hand-washing and overall personal hygiene.

Interventions

Ready. Set. ACTION! Protocol

The intervention included three components: theater sessions; booster sessions; and family outreach. After-school theater sessions were conducted in the fall in the intervention schools. Sessions included: a "check-in" about changes made over the past week; healthy snacks; a movement component that involved fun and easy activities; and creating/education. Children at intervention schools participated in weekly after-school booster sessions in the winter to further address the behavioral messages addressed during the intervention. Throughout the program, weekly Fun \& Fitness packs were sent home to families that included a healthy food with a simple recipe using that food or fitness incentives for the family. There were also two family events: a theater performance, and a reception.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Control

The control condition also participated in a theater-based intervention that addressed a health topic unrelated to weight, hand-washing and overall personal hygiene.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 4th-6th grade children at intervention and control schools
• Parent or guardian of participating children

Exclusion Criteria

• Other ages

• Minimum Eligible Age: 8 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 12 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Minnesota

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD, MPH, RD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota

Other Identifiers

R21DK072972

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

0504S69518

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id