"Mentoring to be Active" for daily physical activity and the relationship with Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Appalachian Middle School-Aged Students

Purpose and Background/Significance: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are the major source of added dietary sugar in youth. Excessive SSB consumption is related to poorer health outcomes, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Youth residing in Rural Appalachia are the largest consumers of SSBs. Few interventions targeting SSBs in the region. Middle school aged youth are at a critical developmental period where they develop lifelong habits. The purpose of this descriptive/exploratory study is to examine the effects of Mentoring to be Active (MBA), on 7th grade students SSB consumption. Conceptual framework: The 8 session MBA was based on the Social-Cognitive Theory. Method: MBA paired 7th grade mentees with 10th grade mentors. Mentors taught healthy behaviors with an emphasis on physical activity at home and reducing sugar consumption. Mentees and mentors were recruited from two school districts. Mentees completed, a validated survey reporting SSB consumption "at school" and "not at school" during the past 7 days. Data were collected at baseline and at immediate post-test. Results: 52 middle-school students (Mean age = 12.79) participated. Sample was nearly equally female (51.9%) and male (48.1%). Ethnicity mirrored the geographical region as (86.5%) White and (13.5%) Native American. SSB consumption when "not at school" reduced by 4 ½ servings per a week. This reduction was due to the decreased consumption of orange juice and fruit drinks. This was encouraging due to "not at school" targeting self-management behavior. Sports drinks consumption increased, perhaps due to increased physical activity. Regular soda/pop consumption (at least one serving a day) increased to by 5%. Overall SSB consumption when "at school" increased across most beverages. Fruit drinks, sports drinks, and regular soda/pop increased. Conclusions: The results indicate a need for a targeted intervention on sugar consumption at home and at school. The increase in SSB consumption at school may be due to most students receiving free/reduced meals with limited choices or non-regulated availability to children while at school. Interventions targeting small lifestyle behaviors may lead to additional behavioral modifications, especially at home.A one-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Nursin