Running head: MODELING HEALTHY BEHAVIORS

PPE 310: Health Literacy for Schools

Nutrition Curriculum
Signature Assignment
Katie Barton
Mary Dean

Modeling Healthy Behavior

Introduction
When I grow up I want to be just like my mom/dad! Weve all heard this dream from
school aged children, in most cases young children do grow up to be just like their parents or a
close guardian. Adults modeling healthy behaviors to their children are a key component in a
childs overall health. Imagine being told to eat vegetables while your parents get fries and a
large milkshake- that would be confusing to any child. Teaching kids to shop for fresh and
healthy foods, how to cook delicious healthy meals, modeling active lives, and correct portion
sizes are all important topics for a parent or teacher to teach students.
Children are most likely to grow up and emulate the life familiar to them when they move
out on their own because they dont know any different or because it is what is comfortable.
Review of Current Literature
Mack (2008) describes a chronic illness as any condition (e.g., diabetes, cancer, cardio
vascular disease, asthma, and obesity) caused by a lack of engagement in the specific behaviors
that constitute a health promoting lifestyle (e.g., exercising consistently, eating a healthy diet,
and health responsibility behaviors- i.e., reading nutrition labels) and that interferes in the daily
life of an adolescent for longer than three months in a year. According to the National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES III], an estimated 4.7 million children and adolescents
(6 to 17 years old) in the United States are chronically ill (Institute of Health [IOH]. The
epidemic of overweight and obese students in the United States is alarming. Parents, guardians,
and positive adult figures in students lives have the ability to make positive changes in eating
and activity practices. Mack stated, chronically ill adolescents engagement in health promoting
behaviors is based on their attitude toward engaging in a health promoting lifestyle and their
perception of social pressures from significant others to engage or not to engage in health

Modeling Healthy Behavior

promoting behaviors (2008). If a student perceives that their parents, siblings, or friends do not
engage in positive and healthy behaviors the student is rarely going to go against what is
modeled and live a healthy lifestyle. Children look up to the adults in their lives, this is no
surprise, adults should be the best example of positive and healthy behaviors.
Kumar, Adhikari, Li, Lindshield, Muturi and Kidd (2016) conducted a study of nine focus
groups. Six consisted of students, two groups were made up of parents, and the last group was
made up of teachers. Kumar states, approximately 17% of children ages 2-19 are obese, the
children living in a poor or minority population are affected by this more often. She also found
that over the past decade, research has shown that community based approaches to healthy eating
and activity levels have been the most effective. Students spend a vast amount of time at school
or with friends from school, therefore researchers have pointed out that schools are the most
logical place to identify barriers as well as where interventions could most successfully be
implemented. They found a barrier of choosing healthy foods was the lack of cheap and quick
options available. A barrier stated by Kuman on physical activity was students general lack of
motivation.
Lessard, Greenberger and Chen (2010) claim, parental modeling of positive health
behaviors predicts better adolescent health behaviors, whereas parents modeling of negative
health behaviors (e.g., smoking) predicts worse adolescent health behaviors. It has been stated
many times but parents influence their children in most aspects of their life. If our society wants
children to eat healthy and live healthy adults need to the modeling these same behaviors to the
students and children around. Their findings suggest, in the context of high perceived parental
warmth, adolescents may perceive persuasion tactics such as giving information, expressing
concern, and encouraging behavior change, as relatively benign, helpful, and supportive of their

Modeling Healthy Behavior

own efforts to improve their diet-related behaviors (Lessard, Greenberger & Chen, 2010).
Students are going to accept guidance and suggestions on their health and wellness by adults
they trust and feel comfortable with, the findings back this idea up. If a student doesnt have a
home life with positive and supportive parents, teachers or school staff should also be modeling
healthy behaviors for their students.
Utter, Denny, Robinson, Fleming, Amertunga and Grant (2012) found that studies of
populations from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Finland, and New Zealand
indicate a strong, positive relationship between frequency of family meals and good nutrition.
Specifically, nearly all of these studies reported a positive relationship between sharing family
meals and consumption of fruits and vegetables, regular breakfast consumption, and healthier
dietary profiles (Utter et al., 2012). Students who have parents modeling healthy eating habits
and meals at home have a more healthy relationship with food. In the same sense, teachers and
school staff can be modeling these food choices and having conversations about healthy foods
with their students in case they dont receive the education at home. The findings stated,
students living in highly deprived areas were as likely to share frequent family meals as
students living in less deprived areas (Utter et al., 2012). This finding stood out because most of
the data shows that low income areas suffer compared to the higher income areas. It is refreshing
to see this doesnt effect family meal times.
Aschemann-Witzel, Bech-Larsen and Grnhj (2014) found that parents influence their
childrens eating behaviors in two ways. The first being lower income families do not eat as
healthy. The second influence parents have is more fascinating- parents themselves act in ways
that are more or less favorable for childrens development of healthy dietary behaviors, when
acting as positive or negative role models. These behaviors may include own consumption levels

Modeling Healthy Behavior

overall or consumption of certain foods, eating styles and food preferences. The latter in turn
influence feeding styles and parenting practices in relation to food and eating, as for instance the
extent of control over eating and family food rules applied in the rearing of children. Also,
psychological variables such as willpower and parents self-efficacy with regard to healthy eating
are likely to be transmitted to the child in the food-related socialization process. Children watch
their parents actions and pick up on behaviors shown. If parents are not presenting certain foods
as well as modeling eating the foods children will be influenced by their parents actions. The
study in this program was based out of a school to communicate via text message to the parents
to increase to consumption of fruits and vegetables. Through the program involving or targeting
parents together with their children in school-based interventions can have a favorable influence
on the parents food-related behavior.
Synthesis of Current Literature
The literature presented in all six articles advocates that adults play a key role in
modeling positive behaviors. Children are going to emulate the behaviors shown by adults
whether we intend it to be that way, or not. Families of lower income are less likely to provide
healthy and fresh food options; being at a title one school this program is important to implement
to encourage healthier lifestyles. Another key component found from the literature review is that
a strong correlation ties between the frequency of families sitting down for meals together and
the healthy lifestyles of that same family. Frequent family meals can provide students with a
more balanced and healthy meal. Another meal related implication is that eating breakfast is an
impactful meal for an overall healthier life.
All articles point to life-long health benefits. If the adults chose to become a positive and
healthy influence, their healthy choices will affect their own health as well as the potential health

Modeling Healthy Behavior

of their family. The adults will also benefit from increasing the odds of living a longer and more
fulfilled life. The students will benefit from starting healthy behaviors at a young age because
when they become adults living on their own they will be more invested in maintaining a healthy
life. When the day comes for them to have children of their own these already established
healthy lifestyles would transfer onto their children starting at birth.
Practical Implications
As discovered through the research conducted in this project, adults have a significant
impact on the healthy lives of children. By appropriately modeling, adults can affect the healthy
food choices children make and the amount of activity children get. For a successful school wide
program the following implications will be important.
1. Principal and Nurse Support
Before beginning a month of healthy living modeling by teachers, staff, and parents, the
plan will be presented to the school principal, Mr. Rantala, and the nurse, Ms. S. The students
(and teachers) look up to the principal and respect his authority. If he is the initial presenter of
this program support across staff and students will be taken more serious. The nurse is an
important figure to utilize through this program because the students look up to her for their
health needs. If Ms. S. gives the students information on how to be healthier they will take it to
heart knowing she is a trained professional nurse.
2. Marketing
The program will be rolled out to the teachers in an email from the principal and followed
up on during the staff meeting before the program starts. During the staff meeting an interactive
power point will be shown to give the staff a full picture of the program and how to be apart. The
students will be getting their information from the video announcements. Each Wednesday Nurse

Modeling Healthy Behavior

S. will get on the announcements highlighting healthy habits, tips and tricks, as well as spot
lighting the top five students and two teachers who have walked to highest amount of laps during
that week. Highlighting these students to the school, inviting them to be filmed on the
announcements, and bragging about how many total laps they have completed will be an honor
to the students. The hope is that each week more students will be inspired to walk laps and show
healthy activities at school. Seeing the teachers highlighted to participating in walking laps will
also serve as an inspiration for the students.
3. Health Workshops
During the month long program, a weekly workshop will be held in the cafeteria for
students, parents, community members, and staff to attend. These workshops will include: Adults
as Inspiration, Healthy Cooking, Make it Outside to Move, and Snack Smart. The first workshop,
Adults as Inspiration, will explain and frame the purpose for the month long program. It will give
statistics, facts, and motivation to encourage all families to take the month challenge to model
healthy behaviors. The second workshop will talk about healthy meals on a budget, healthiest
options if eating out is the only option, and will have a taste me portion where participants can
taste a variety of recipes and take home the printed recipe for the options they enjoyed. The third
workshop, Make it Outside to Move, will highlight the importance of ongoing activity. Living in
Arizona we are blessed with mountains, parks, and endless free outdoor activities. Physical
activity is important for school-aged children and this workshop will give statistics, activity
ideas, and local resources families should take advantage of. The Snack Smart workshop will
provide ideas for smart and healthy snacks to make as a family or to buy and keep around the
house. The workshop will highlight how to read nutrition labels and how to make the best

Modeling Healthy Behavior

decisions possible while grocery shopping. This workshop will include cheat sheets to take to the
store and samples of some favorite healthy snacks.
4. Student Government
Student Government will be used to make the posters throughout the month highlighting
important activities coming up. The school uses student government currently to make the
posters for school events. It is important they are involved, their participation will make the
program a personal cause this way.
5. Walk It Wednesday
Each Wednesday during the month program, students and staff will be encouraged to
spend their lunchtime recess outside walking. If teachers and staff will model this behavior an
added inspiration will be given to the students. The lunch time staff and PE teacher will be
present during these lunches to track laps walked per student and to hand out treats such a
stickers with the total number of laps completed that day written for each student.
6. Workout Wednesday
Along with the Walk It Wednesday the students and staff will be encouraged to wear
appropriate workout clothes instead of their typical uniform. The change to have an excuse to
break the uniform policy as well as being comfy during the day will be an bonus for both the
teachers and students. Students and staff cannot dress down if they do not participate in the
walking at lunch.
7. Class Meetings
Class meetings are already a campus wide program at Hohokam. During our healthy
month the topics discussed in the class meetings should tie into healthy living. Examples of

Modeling Healthy Behavior

topics could be: who inspires the students to be healthy, how their bodies feel after eating and
participating in healthy activities all month, what their favorite healthy snack is, ect.
Conclusion
As found in the research parents, teachers, and influential adults need to be a model of
healthy to students. This includes healthy lifestyles, working out and healthy eating. The big
picture is that a student is going to naturally mimic the choices of the adults they look up to. If
adults dont show importance in eating healthy foods and working out the students will not value
those healthy lifestyle choices either. As educators we cannot assume our students are receiving
the modeling at home, we must have conversations about healthy choices and model the
behaviors at school. In one year, the Healthy School Plan implemented at Hohokam will look
more polished than the first year. The Walking Wednesdays will begin with more of an
enthusiastic start due to the challenge of beating the first years weekly distances walked. By the
third year the healthy walking program will last an entire semester, not just one month. I believe
it is important to implement a t-shirt students can earn by participating. This t-shirt will count as
a school spirit shirt and can be worn on Wednesdays or on Fridays for the casual dress code day.
In the fifth year the school wide plan should have a destination such as Alaska, to encourage
participation. The distances walked will be added up and tracked until the school reaches their
destination. The update will be given through the morning announcements and the longest
walkers will be asked to participate on the announcements. Teachers and adults on campus are
huge role models that can make the positive difference in their students lives. These healthy
conversations should start in the classroom and continue school wide.

Modeling Healthy Behavior

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SNACK
SMART
Join us for the workshop!
Where: Hohokam Cafeteria
When: 2/24/2016 @ 6pm
Who: Anyone and Everyon!

Modeling Healthy Behavior

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Adults As
Inspiration
Be an inspiration to you children. Did you know your
food and activity choices affect theirs? Come learn
together how to live a healthier life.

Join us for the workshop!

Where: Hohokam Cafeteria
When: 2/3/2016 @ 6pm
Who: Anyone and Everyone!

Modeling Healthy Behavior

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Make it Outside and

Move

Healthy Living includes getting outside and moving. This includes:

Riding bikes
Hiking
Taking the dogs for a walk
Jumprope
Playing sports
Running
Playing active games
Join us for the workshop!
Where: Hohokam Cafeteria
When: 2/17/2016 @ 6pm
Who: Anyone and Everyone!

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References
Aschemann-Witzel, J., Bech-Larsen, T., & Grnhj, A. (2014). Are parents eating their greens?
fruit and vegetable consumption during a school intervention.British Food
Journal, 116(4), 585-597. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-05-2012-0134

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Janavi Kumar , Koushik Adhikari , Yijing Li , Erika Lindshield , Nancy Muturi , Tandalayo
Kidd , (2016) "Identifying barriers, perceptions and motivations related to healthy eating
and physical activity among 6th to 8th grade, rural, limited-resource adolescents", Health
Education, Vol. 116 Iss: 2, pp.123 137
Lessard, J., Greenberger, E., & Chen, C. (2010). Adolescents' response to parental efforts to
influence eating habits: When parental warmth matters. Journal of Youth and
Adolescence, 39(1), 73-83. Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/204633917?accountid=4485
Mack, C. E. (2008). The associations between the health promoting behaviors of low income
parents/caregivers and those of their chronically ill adolescents (Order No. 3440905).
Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (849724773). Retrieved from
http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/849724773?accountid=4485
Utter J, Denny S, Robinson E, Fleming T, et al. Family meals among New Zealand young
people: Relationships between eating and body mass index. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2012.
S1499-4046.

Criteria
with
Profession
Modeling
al
Standards
Reference
d
Outline
Outline
Turned
In(Alread
y
submitted
for points)

(5) Exemplary
(97 100%)

(4) Highly
Proficient
(93 96%)
Healthy Behavior

10 Points
Logical,
Brief outline
detailed
with at least 5
outline with at original peer
least 5
reviewed
original peer
references
reviewed
written in
references
APA format is
written in
submitted.
APA format is
submitted
with a
technology
choice
selected to
embed the
assignment.

5 x 2=10
points
Introduction
10 Points
Introducti Introduction
Introduction
on to the
is fully
is fully
topic and developed,
developed
overview
well
with all topics
(In your
organized,
introduced.
purpose
introduces all
statement topics, created
also
a plan for the
introduce paper and
all
invites the
subtopics) reader to read
InTASC
further.
1c,k; 5k;
9f; 10h
5 x 2=10
NAEYC
points
6b
NETS-T
3a,d; 4a,c
CEC
EC2S1;
CC7K1;
EC7K1;C
C9K4;CC
9S8
Literature Review
Adequacy 1. Literature
of
review
Knowledg highlights

15 Points
1. Literature
review
addresses

(3) Proficient
(83 92%)

(2)
Approaching
Proficient
(73 82%)

(1)
Unsatisfactory
(72%
and below) 15

Brief outline
with some
references but
not 5 original
peer reviewed
references
written in
APA format
are submitted.

Brief outline
No outline
with one or no was
references
submitted.
submitted.

Introduction
is addressed
well,
somewhat
organized and
created a plan
for the paper.

Introduction is Introduction is
addressed
omitted or
adequately.
was
disorganized
and did not
create a plan
for the paper.

1. Literature
review may
address major

1. Literature
review does
not address

1. Literature
review does
not have the

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16