The Effect of NM Super Fit Teen Challenge on Weight Related Health Outcomes

Overall Goal: To measure the effect of an evidence-based community centered approach and peer education on the reduction of adolescent obesity.

Specific Aims:
  1. Recruit and retain 50 Hispanic and Native American adolescents with a BMI of 30 or above and provide a community based peer education program
    • Community based intervention for families with obese adolescents
    • Partnering with UNMH, HSC, APS and Belen School
    • To increase exercise, proper nutrition, health education and decrease screen time in obese adolescents
    • Expanding an existing 3 year program “Nursing Diversity Pipeline” students’ education to include peer education and service learning and increase their high school graduation rates. The purpose of this program is to increase minorities entering nursing and other health related careers
  2. To measure the effect of an eight week educational and healthy living strategies program on obese adolescent’s weight, HA1c and cholesterol levels
    • To measure the difference of an eight week “Super Fit Teen Challenge” Program on obese adolescents’ weight, HA1c, cholesterol, screen time, exercise and nutrition.
    • To measure the influence of peer education & motivational interviewing on obese adolescents self-efficacy and change in behavior
    • To measure the peer education and motivational interviewing training has on pipeline adolescents’ self-confidence and knowledge
  3. To measure the effect of peer education and support on adolescent knowledge, weight, HA1c and cholesterol
    • To pre/post test the increase in educational learning of Hispanic and Native American high school students on diabetes and elevated cholesterol levels, vital signs, exercise and the BMI
    • To measure the effects of peer educational experiences and motivational interviewing training on our pipeline students entering health careers.

Overall Goal:

  • To train our pipeline high school students in peer education and motivational interviewing techniques that they apply in service learning with obese students
  • To have obese Hispanic and Native American high school students attend the “Super Fit Teen Challenge” Program and measure the outcomes on their health.
  • To partner with Public Schools and Health Institutions.
For more information contact UNMH/Nursing Department:
  • Kathy Lopez-Bushnell RNC, EdD, MPH, MSN
  • Connie Fassler RN, BSN
  • Terri Gibson RN, MSN
  • Suzanne Gagnon, RN, MSN, CFNP