College of Public Health and Human Sciences

As adolescents age, autonomy in food and physical activity choices increase. Without positive reinforcement and training in making healthier choices, adolescents are at risk for overweight or obesity as they transition to adulthood. Hands-on team-building Family Consumer Science workshops were developed and delivered to engage high school soccer players in learning menu planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and gardening. Best practices for student engagement were identified, including building competition into youth activities, using activities as team-building opportunities, engaging coaches to recruit athletes, and working with partners and volunteers to increase capacity for skill-based program delivery.