Implementation of a Coordinated Approach to Child Health Program at a Rural Elementary School During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVES: A Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) is an evidence-based school health program focusing on increasing healthy eating and physical activity and reducing screen time. This project aimed to determine if CATCH program will have significant effects on self-rated knowledge, habits of physical activity, healthy eating (fruit and vegetable consumption), and screen time among 3(rd) and 5th-grade students at a rural elementary school during the 2020–2021 school year. METHODS: To evaluate this 4-month project, a pre- and post-intervention School Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) survey was distributed to 51 3rd and 5th-grade students. The program included six 30-minute education sessions specific to grade level and healthy snacks including fruits and vegetables. A family fun event (virtual 2K walk/run due to COVID-19) was organized. Prizes (i.e., water bottles, jump ropes) were given to students for participating in the family fun event and at Track and Field day to encourage healthy behavior. RESULTS: A dependent paired samples t-tests and an exact McNemar test determined participants who completed both the pre and post intervention survey (n = 15) did not experience a significant change in healthier food choices, fruit consumption, vegetable consumption, screen time, and physical activity. Mean responses of students who completed the pre survey (n = 27) and post survey (n = 22) found a 28% increase in exercising for at least 30 minutes the day prior, a 22% increase in 2 hours or less of screen time the day prior, a 12% increase in eating vegetables 3 or more times the day prior, and a 6% increase in eating fruit 2 or more times the day prior. A Qualtrics survey found that 100% of teachers who completed the survey (n = 7) were satisfied with the program and 5 out of 7 teachers were interested in participating in the program the following school year, with one maybe and one not applicable (i.e., leaving district) response. CONCLUSIONS: Although the results of this project were not statistically significant, there were beneficial findings and lessons learned. Students reported an increase in favorable responses to recommended habits of physical activity, diet, and screen time following implementation of the CATCH program. FUNDING SOURCES: DeKalb County Community Foundation Community Needs Grant.