Engaging Youth in Learning about Healthful Eating and Active Living: An Evaluation of Educational Theater Programs

• Published in: Journal of nutrition education and behavior Vol. 44; no. 2; pp. 160 - 165
• Main Authors: Cheadle, Allen, Cahill, Carol, Schwartz, Pamela M., Edmiston, John, Johnson, Sarah, Davis, Larry, Robbins, Curtis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2012; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Achievement Gains; Child; Children; Comparative Analysis; Curricula; curriculum; Diet; Eating; Eating Habits; education programs; educational theater; Elementary Education; elementary school children; Elementary School Students; Elementary Schools; elementary students; Food Services; Food Services - statistics & numerical data; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Grade 4; Health Behavior; Health Education; Health Education - methods; Health Insurance; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Promotion; Health Promotion - methods; Humans; ingestion; Internal Medicine; Knowledge; Knowledge Level; learning; Life Style; methods; Nutrition; Nutrition education; Outcomes of Education; performing arts; Retention (Psychology); Schools; statistics & numerical data; surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Theaters; United States; youth; United States; health education; nutrition education; educational theater; elementary school children
• ISSN: 1499-4046; 1878-2620; 1878-2620; 1708-8259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2011.06.005

To compare knowledge gains and knowledge retention of healthful eating and active living behaviors in elementary school children participating in Educational Theatre Programs (ETP). The study sample included 47 schools (2,915 third- or fourth-grade students) in 8 Kaiser Permanente regions. Children's knowledge of 4 healthful behaviors was measured using a brief survey before and immediately after performances, followed by a post-delay survey 3 weeks later. Statistically significant increases in knowledge pre/post for individual topics (P < .01). The percentage of children who answered all 4 questions correctly increased from 17% to 63% immediately after ETP performances (P < .01). Knowledge was retained over the short term; the proportion of students who correctly identified recommended healthful eating/active living practices had declined only slightly 3 weeks later. The ETP significantly improved participating students' knowledge of healthful eating and active living concepts. Theater programs should be considered for inclusion in elementary school health curricula.