Objective
To evaluate the reach, adoption, and implementation of HEALTH[e]TEEN, a school-based Internet obesity prevention program, and examine differences in student participation and satisfaction by school, gender, age, and race/ethnicity.
Design
Mixed methods, clinical trial of HEALTH[e]TEEN.
Setting
3 Public high schools in Connecticut.
Participants
384 adolescents, 8 teachers.
Intervention(s)
HEALTH[e]TEEN vs. HEALTH[e]TEEN + coping skills training.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
Demographic and state-available data, measurements of student satisfaction and participation, interviews with school administrators and teachers.
Analysis
Mixed and logistic models, content analysis.
Results
The sample (n=384) was diverse (35% White), with a mean age of 15.3 years, and mean BMI of 24.7 kg/m2. Student participation (83% of lessons completed) and satisfaction (mean 3.6 out of 5) was high. Schools implementing the program in class had higher satisfaction and participation compared to schools that implemented the program as homework (P=<.001, <.001). Girls had higher satisfaction and participation compared to boys (P=.02, .03). Younger students had higher participation compared to older students but no difference in satisfaction was noted (P=.03).
Conclusions and Implications
Two school-based Internet programs to decrease obesity reached diverse adolescents, and were adopted and implemented with high student satisfaction and participation. Implementation of the intervention was influenced by setting (classroom vs. homework), teacher characteristics, student age and gender.
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