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Purpose: This study compares the efficacy of a behavioral skills mentoring program (Mentored Planning to Be Active [MBA]) to a teacher‐led program (Planning to Be Active [PBA]) for increasing physical activity in Appalachian teens on health outcomes (weight loss, body mass index (BMI), and body fat). Methods: Secondary analysis of a larger group‐randomized controlled trial was conducted in 20 rural Appalachian schools. Descriptive Pearson correlations and multivariate analyses with between‐subject effects were conducted. Effect sizes (ES) using Cohen's d and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Findings: The obese MBA group lost 77.5% more weight by T3 compared to the PBA group; T2 was (F = 8.51, P =.000) and T3 was (F = 7.62, P =.000). ES was 0.34. OR = 1.45 (95% CI: 0.558‐3.792) at T2 and OR = 3.32 (95% CI: 1.103‐9.978) at T3. Extremely obese in the MBA group lost 80.0% more weight compared to the PBA group; T2 was (F = 5.23, P =.025) and at T3 (F = 6.33, P =.015) ES was 0.58. OR = 4.36 (95% CI: 0.981‐19.34). Extremely obese females lost more weight compared to males (F = 4.75, P =.034). BMI and body fat had similar results; youth in the MBA group had the most improvement. Conclusions: Rural Appalachian youth are disproportionately extremely obese. BMI does not capture adiposity or cardiovascular risk. BMI, BMI percentile, raw weight, fat mass, and percent body fat are more complete analyses of adiposity and cardiovascular risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Sugar-sweetened beverages ( SSBs) are the largest source of added sugar in the US diet. In adolescents aged 12-19, these drinks account for 13% to 28% of total daily calories. Compared with other adolescents, those residing in Appalachia have the highest consumption rates of SSBs. METHODS Using a Teen Advisory Council (TAC), a student-designed and student-led intervention was conducted at 2 high schools in a rural Appalachian county. Using repeated-measures models design with Bonferroni correction, data were collected on daily and weekly consumption of SSBs and of water at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 30 days post-intervention. Vending machine surveys were completed. RESULTS The 186 participants reported purchasing SSBs from school vending machines (41.4%), cafeteria (36.5%), and school stores (7.7%). Daily SSB servings decreased from an average of 2.32 ( SD = 2.14) to 1.32 ( SD = 1.29) (p < .001). Weekly consumption decreased from an average of 4.30 ( SD = 2.40) days/week to 2.64 ( SD = 1.91) (p < .001). Water consumption increased 19% from baseline to immediately post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS Student-directed efforts to support behavioral change are feasible and effective at affecting individual lifestyle behaviors. Small and manageable changes may lead to net improvements in lifestyle behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE. This study explored the relationships between internal and external assets, risk behaviors, health behaviors, and thriving behaviors in diverse children. DESIGN AND METHODS. The strength of relationships existing between measures, differences between group means based on gender, grades earned, and school, and confidence interval (p ≤  .05) were tested in a sample of 61 urban sixth graders. RESULTS. Few assets were related to substance use. Assets were related to delinquency acts, health behaviors, and thriving indicators. Group differences between schools and gender and the total number of assets were noted. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Supporting assets are important to consider when nurses perform assessments and design interventions to support youths in their maturation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]