Source: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION: CREATING A TRANSDISCIPLINARY CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION GRADUATE PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0224308
Grant No.
2011-67002-30202
Cumulative Award Amt.
$4,125,165.00
Proposal No.
2010-04883
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Mar 15, 2011
Project End Date
Mar 14, 2018
Grant Year
2014
Program Code
[A2121]- Childhood Obesity Prevention: Transdisciplinary Graduate Education and Training in Nutrition and Family Sciences or Child Development or Related Fields to Prevent Childhood Obesity
Recipient Organization
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
PO BOX 2275A
BROOKINGS,SD 57007
Performing Department
College of Education & Human Sciences
Non Technical Summary
South Dakota State University (SDSU) and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL) are combining efforts to implement a transdisciplinary graduate education and training program to prevent childhood obesity. This Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention (T.O.P) graduate program combines faculty expertise from Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences, Child Development, Exercise and Sports Science, Health Promotion, Dietetics, Nutrigenomics, Cooperative Extension and Nursing to teach program coursework and facilitate student research opportunities. The Program Area Priority is to develop an innovative graduate education and training program focused on childhood obesity prevention. The program is targeted to master's and doctoral students majoring in Nutritional Science, Dietetics, Family and Consumer Sciences, Child Development, Exercise and Sports Science, or related social science fields. Graduate students will be engaged in experiential research training opportunities associated with Cooperative Extension, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, The National Children's Study, and ongoing faculty research protocols. Peer mentoring relationships and a greater understanding of the multifaceted issues surrounding childhood obesity will be fostered by linking T.O.P students with undergraduate students in tribal colleges. Research focus settings will target underserved, American Indian, Black, and Hispanic populations within rural South Dakota and urban Nebraska. This transdisciplinary program approach will expand the graduate students understanding of the behavioral, social, biological and environmental causes of childhood obesity in order to implement and research evidence based multidisciplinary approaches to prevent childhood obesity.     
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
7036010101050%
9036099302050%
Knowledge Area
703 - Nutrition Education and Behavior; 903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6010 - Individuals; 6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education; 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism;
Goals / Objectives
The primary Goal of the Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention (T.O.P) graduate program is to develop an innovative, research-based graduate education program that includes transdisciplinary experiential research training in the field of childhood obesity prevention. The program will prepare students with the technical and functional competencies needed to conduct research on the behavioral, social, biological, and environmental causes of childhood obesity as well as skills to develop and implement evidence-based transdisciplinary approaches to prevention. Students will expand their understanding of the complex and interacting influences associated with excessive weight gain in children and will be prepared to develop and evaluate intervention programs intended to prevent childhood obesity. The strength of this program is the transdisciplinary approach to childhood obesity prevention, which will allow students to think critically about the complexity of factors contributing to childhood obesity. In addition, the research portion of this program aims to specifically focus on minority, underserved, American Indian populations in rural South Dakota and Black and Hispanic populations in urban Nebraska. These underserved populations also have a high percentage of students that meet the criterion to qualify for the nutrition education services provided by Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program (SNAP-Ed). The Objectives to meet this goal are to: 1)Combine faculty and resources from South Dakota State University and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln to develop a sustainable transdisciplinary graduate program to address childhood obesity prevention. 2)Recruit and educate a transdisciplinary group of graduate students in fields of nutrition, family and consumer sciences, child development, exercise and sports science and other related fields of study. 3)Design and implement three core graduate courses and supporting courses to address childhood obesity and research methods. 4)Establish an ongoing research program on factors influencing excessive weight gain in children and develop and test effective interventions to prevent childhood obesity. 5)Establish an experiential learning experience for graduate students to interact with students in undergraduate tribal colleges to increase student awareness of the multifaceted and cultural issues associated with childhood obesity. 6)Prepare graduate students to effectively work as applied, basic researchers and experts to design, implement and evaluate childhood obesity prevention programs. 7)Integrate graduate coursework and research through faculty, peer mentoring and experiential research experiences with school systems, families, communities, research centers and extension. Our Long - Range Goal is to develop an effective and sustainable transdisciplinary graduate program in childhood obesity prevention that can be applied by universities on a national and international basis. Ultimately, this program will prepare professionals who will be able to address the complex issues of childhood obesity and its prevention.
Project Methods
Faculty from SDSU and UNL are combining their expertise in nutrition, family and consumer sciences, child development, exercise and sports science, dietetics, nutrigenomics, extension, and biostatistics to implement the T.O.P program, which will provide a transdisciplinary team of graduate students with coursework and experiential research training opportunities focused on preventing childhood obesity. Doctoral and master's students will be required to meet the Graduate School credit requirements for degree completion at each university and will complete the departmental/degree specific requirements for their program. Dissertation and thesis requirements will focus on transdisciplinary issues of childhood obesity prevention. The program will utilize a variety of strategies to develop leadership, management, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and mentoring experiences. Evidence-based analysis is used in many of the current classes and will be incorporated into the three new core courses enabling students to learn this approach for utilization throughout their practice or research careers. It will enhance student development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Master's and doctoral students will help supervise undergraduate research assistants and doctoral students will supervise master's students and be required to provide teaching assistance for a minimum of one semester. These opportunities will enhance the learning experience and help promote organization and management skills. Timelines will be proposed at the beginning of the student's program and be monitored closely by the primary advisor to help ensure student success. As students are accepted into the program, they will be matched to a primary advisor based on the students major and area of research interest. This will be done during the application review process and finalized with the student's acceptance into the program. This will help establish an immediate faculty student mentor relationship. Following the first year, there will be student-student mentorship established where a student already enrolled in the program will be assigned to assist an incoming student with the transition into the university and the program. Master's students will be required to complete at least one manuscript. Doctoral students will be required to complete two manuscripts. Both master's and doctoral students in the T.O.P program will be required to present oral or poster presentations reflective of their research and transdisciplinary efforts at local, state or national meetings. Three additional core course requirements, seven total credit hours, will be developed and incorporated into, or be an equivalent of, current core course requirements within the graduate degree programs. The courses will also be open to graduate students not enrolled in the T.O.P. program. Students will be required to attend graduate seminar and a two-day professional seminar. The courses will be cross listed and taught via distance learning to allow participation of students and faculty from both institutions.

Progress 03/15/11 to 03/14/18

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences of the TOP program included SDSU and UNL graduate students enrolled in the TOP graduate certificate program. The target audience for the TOP experiential learning experiences and research experiences included the TOP students, but also the populations they worked with, such as: SNAP-Education & EFNEP recipients, underserved ethnically diverse populations, school administrators, child care centers and their students, school wellness coordinators, and community wellness coalitions. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?TOP students utilized professional development funding to attend national meetings and training sessions relative to childhood obesity. Across the funding period, 52 students were supported to travel to state, regional, and national conferences, such as, but not limited to: the American College of Sports Medicine, the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the World Congress of Biomechanics, the Global Summit on Physical Activity in Children, the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, the International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society, and Experimental Biology. While attending these conferences students presented their research and networked with other professionals in the field of childhood obesity prevention. In addition, the TOP graduate certificate program has provided funding for students to earn the following additional certifications related to childhood obesity prevention: American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist, American College of Sports Medicine Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Commission on Dietetic Registration Child and Adolescent Weight Management Certificate. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The TOP graduate certificate program has been advertised across the SDSU and UNL campus via the University websites, Facebook pages, electronic bulletin boards, and print media created for student recruitment. The program is also advertised to a wider audience through the SDSU and UNL Facebook pages, which feature current events in the field of childhood obesity prevention, highlights on TOP student accomplishments, and TOP student spotlights. The TOP graduate certificate program has also been disseminated through the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice https://nexusipe.org/advancing/nexus-innovations-network/south-dakota-nexus-transdisciplinary-obesity-prevention What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? South Dakota State University and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln completed the seventh academic year (Fall 2017-Spring 2018) of the graduate certificate program in TOP (TOP). The certificate program includes two graduate level hybrid model courses and a practicum course in which students engage in community based experiential learning developed specifically for the TOP program. These core courses focus on introducing students to the transdisciplinary nature of childhood obesity, the social ecological model, the evidence based public health framework, community based participatory research, and grant writing with collaborative, transdisciplinary research teams. The SDSU TOP certificate program was recognized by the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice (https://nexusipe.org/) as an innovative, interprofessional education program by being invited to be part of the National Center's nexus. A summary of the work plan submitted and approved by the National Center is provided on their website at the following link: https://nexusipe.org/advancing/nexus-innovations-network/south-dakota-nexus-transdisciplinary-obesity-prevention. Collaboratively, the data from all of the projects within the nexus will be used to inform the model of interprofessional education to improve the Institute of Medicine's triple aim of health care. Of the current approved projects in the nexus, TOP is the only program with a true community engagement component. A nationwide map of current projects approved and others in development can be accessed on the Nexus website: https://nexusipe.org/advancing/nexus-innovations-network. Objective 2: 100% Accomplished Sixty-four students have earned their graduate certificate in TOP since the program start in 2011. Twenty-nine graduate students received research assistantships. Biographies of all of the current (http://www.sdstate.edu/hns/graduate-programs/top/profiles/index.cfm) SDSU TOP students and alumni (http://www.sdstate.edu/health-and-nutritional-sciences/2011-2012-cohort-1-students) are provided on the TOP program website; biographies for UNL students are on the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/UNLTOPprogram/?ref=hl). Objective 3: 100% Accomplished Three unique core graduate courses were created for the TOP certificate: NUTR 750: Issues in Obesity, NUTR 751: Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment and Evaluation, and HNS 795 Practicum in Childhood Obesity Prevention. The courses were integrated into the curriculum at SDSU and will remain regular courses offerings despite completion of project funding. Through HNS 795, TOP students participate in Experiential Learning Experiences (ELE) in partnership with SDSU and UNL Extension and participating health organizations. TOP students have participated in a variety of ELEs across the funding period, including: offering Fuel up to Play 60 at local elementary schools, working with a health and physical education teacher to deliver a nutrition and physical education program called KidQuest, working with the Smarter Lunchroom Movement in the elementary and middle school environments, and a Building Healthy Families community-based program with the University of Nebraska-Kearney. A synopsis of their experience is highlighted on the SDSU and UNL TOP Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/SDSUTOPs/ and https://www.facebook.com/UNLTOPprogram/?ref=hl Objective 4: 100% Accomplished TOP research efforts are promoted through three primary mechanisms: 1) Student-lead obesity prevention thesis projects, 2) student-lead obesity prevention grant writing projects, and faculty-lead TOP projects. Students earning their TOP certificate were extremely productive. Across the 65 students who have begun a TOP certificate, our team of faculty and students have brought in 10 visiting speakers, provided 21 student seed grants, presented over 85 posters or oral presentations and published over 60 peer reviewed abstracts and/or manuscripts. Objective 5: 100% Accomplished The instructors overseeing the TOP experiential learning experience courses have developed a valuable partnership with Extension and rely on Extension to serve as the connection between the certificate program and the community, voicing opportunities for student involvement in childhood obesity prevention efforts. Numerous opportunities have been provided for students to gain experience working with underserved populations through the experiential learning experiences built into the TOP core curriculum. Objective 6: 100% Accomplished TOP students gain experience designing, implementing and evaluating childhood obesity prevention program through the TOP curriculum and the strong partnership between the TOP program and Extension at both SDSU and UNL. Students have been involved in developing, implementing, and evaluating transdisciplinary childhood obesity prevention programs, such as KidQuest and iGrow Readers through experiential learning experiences provided in TOP courses, student-lead research projects, and faculty-led research projects as graduate research assistants. TOP graduates have successfully obtained careers in the field of obesity prevention across the country. See Table II for data showcasing the change in student confidence in their knowledge skills and abilities in childhood obesity prevention. Objective 7: 100% Accomplished Collaborations with partnering organizations as a result of the experiential learning experiences have resulted in masters/dissertation work for multiple graduate students. Furthermore, existing relationship between Extension and community organizations have been extended allowing new faculty partnerships from diverse areas of study. TOP students have incorporated assessment of transdisciplinary variables into their research projects as a result of exposure through coursework or experiential learning experiences.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Eggert, E., Overby, H., McCormack, L. A., Meendering, J. (in press). Use of a model wellness policy may not increase the strength and comprehensiveness of written school wellness policies. Journal of School Health.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jensen, B., Anderson-Knott, M., Bowne, M., Linda, B., Stluka, S., Kattelmann, K., Meendering, J. (2017). Innovation and Collaboration: Creating a Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention (TOP) Graduate Certificate Program. Health and Interprofessional Practice, 3(2), eP1125.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Meendering, J., Kranz, E. E., Shafrath, T. J., McCormack, L. A. (2016). Bigger Better: The Comprehensiveness and Strength of School Wellness Policies Varies by School District Size. The Journal of school health, 86(9), 653-9.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Do, A, Anderson-Knott, M., deGuzman MRT, Boeckner, L., Koszewski, W. Facilitators and barriers to studentslearning in an obesity prevention graduate program. J. Interprof Care, 32(1), 111-114. DOI: 10.1080/13561820.2017.1356811
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Garcia, A. Determinants of Physical Activity for Latino and White Middle School-Aged Children. Journal of School Health. Accepted
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: McCormack, L. A., Millage, M., Van Heek, N., Kattelmann, K. K., Balantekin, K., Meendering, J. The home food environment and its association with diet and weight status among 3-to-5 year old children. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Karsky, K. A., Kattelmann, K. K., Wey, H. E., McCormack, L. A., Bowne, M. T., Stluka, S. R., Meendering, J. Effectiveness of Train-the-Trainer Methodology for Delivery of a Preschool Nutrition and Physical Activity Program. Health Education Research.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Boyle, C., Song, C., Rutt, J., Anderson-Knott, M. Are Youth Programming Mitigating Minority Health Disparities? Lessons from Two Youth Educational Programs. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Disparities.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Wonch-Hill, T., Song, C., Weber, E., PytlikZillig, L. The Role of Knowledge in Promoting Nutrition-relevant Attitude and Behavior Changes: difference between Normal and Overweight Groups. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Shafrath T, Stluka S, McCormack L, Wey H, Bowne M, Kattelmann K, Meendering J. iGrow Readers: Methodologies for a Multi-State, Childcare Center-Based, Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention. BMC Public Health
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Meendering J, McCormack LA, Bowne M, Kattelmann K, Wells K, Stluka S. A Nutrition and Physical Activity Program with Impacts Beyond the Classroom. Health Education & Behavior
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Pamarthi S, Brown A, Meendering J, McCormack L. Parent perception and satisfaction of child weight status. Health Education & Behavior
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Huber E, McCormack LA, Meendering J. Home sociocultural and physical environment and preschool-aged child physical activity and weight status. Journal of Physical Activity and Health
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: McCormack L, Shafrath T, Stluka S, Wey H, Bowne M, Kattelmann K, Meendering J. iGrow Readers Efficacy. JNEB (Brief).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Song, C. and Fischer, J. Examining the impact of a universal school-based obesity prevention program on ethnic minority middle school children. JNEB.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Karskey, K., Kattelmann, K., Wey, H., McCormack, L., Bowne, M., Stluka, S., Shafrath, T., Wells, K., Meendering, J. (2017). Effectiveness of Train the Trainer Methodology for Delivery of a Preschool Nutrition and Physical Activity Curriculum (7th ed., vol. 49, pp. S50). http://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(17)30522-5/pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Tschakert, M., Kattelmann, K., McCormack, L., Meendering, J. (2017). Relationship of Weight-Related Eating Behaviors and Weight-Loss of Participants Enrolled in a Proprietary Weight Loss Program (7th ed., vol. 49, pp. S83-S84). http://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(17)30405-0/pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Loes, M., Bowne, M. T., Stluka, S. R., Wey, H. E., Kattelmann, K. K., Meendering, J., Leadership Education Excellence in Caring for Children with Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders Program, "Assessing the efficacy of the iGrow Readers curriculum to increase nutrition and physical activity in children ages 2 to 5 years," Leadership Education Excellence in Caring for Children with Neurodevelpmental and Related Disorders, Vermillion, SD, United States. (November 2016).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Meendering, J. R., Boeckner, L., Jensen, B., Stluka, S., Kattelmann, K., McCormack, L., Wey, H., Droke, E., Fischer, J., Anderson-Knott, M., deGuzman, M., Takahashi, S. (2017). The Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Graduate Certificate Program: Student Perceptions of Impact (7th ed., vol. 49, pp. 116-117). http://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(17)30366-4/pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Huber, E., Meendering, J. (2017). Not All Physical Activity Guidelines Are Created Equal: A Comparison of Compliance in Preschool Children. (5S ed., vol. 49, pp. 475-476). http://journals.lww.com/acsm- msse/Fulltext/2017/05001/Not_All_Physical_Activity_Guidelines_Are_Created.1389.aspx
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: McCormack, L. A. (Presenter), Kattelmann, K. K. (Presenter), Meendering, J. (Presenter), Eminent Farmer/Rancher & Homemaker Program, "Diet and Physical Activity in Rural Areas: Challenges and Recommendations," South Dakota State University, SDSU McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center, Brookings, SD, United States. (September 23, 2016).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Sieberg, J., McCormack L., Meendering J.R. The relationship between the quality of written school wellness policies and school wellness policy implementation. Northland American College of Sports Medicine Spring Tutorial, St. Paul, MN, United States. (April 2018).


Progress 03/15/16 to 03/14/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences of the TOP program includes SDSU and UNL graduate students enrolled in the TOP graduate certificate program. The target audience for the TOP experiential learning experiences and research experiences included in the curriculum include the TOP students, but also the populations they are working with, such as: SNAP-Education & EFNEP recipients, underserved ethnically diverse populations, school administrators, 3-5 year old child care centers and their students, school wellness coordinators, and community wellness coalitions. Changes/Problems:ll of the TOP investigators have both teaching and research appointments. As we have progressed through this project we have recognized that although we have a highly productive team, we are stretched thin between our teaching obligations and our time and effort split between various funded projects. We are giving the time and effort we all have invested on the project and have been able to accomplish an impressive list of outputs. However, we have a list of great ideas and manuscripts that remain and are limited in our abilities to get all of our ideas accomplished as quickly as we wish due to having split obligations. During the previous funding period new graduate certificate requirements were put in place at SDSU limiting the number of credits that could be used towards a degree and also used toward earning a certificate. After meeting numerous times with administrators and discussing how this policy limited interprofessional education, we were able to convince our administration to remove this policy and allow credits for a graduate degree to also be used towards one graduate certificate. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Beyond the core curriculum, the TOP certificate program has provided funding for multiple TOP students to travel to state, regional, and national conferences, such as, but not limited to: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo, the American College of Sports Medicine, the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the World Congress of Biomechanics, the Global Summit on Physical Activity in Children, the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, the International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society, and Experimental Biology. While attending these conferences students present their research and network with other professionals in the field of childhood obesity prevention. In addition, the TOP graduate certificate program has provided funding for students to earn the following additional certifications related to childhood obesity prevention: American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist, American College of Sports Medicine Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Commission on Dietetic Registration Child and Adolescent Weight Management Certificate. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The TOP graduate certificate program has been advertised across the SDSU and UNL campus via the University websites, Facebook pages, electronic bulletin boards, and print media created for student recruitment. The program is also advertised to a wider audience through the SDSU and UNL Facebook pages, which feature current events in the field of childhood obesity prevention, highlights on TOP student accomplishments, and TOP student spotlights. The TOP graduate certificate program has also been disseminated through the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice https://nexusipe.org/advancing/nexus-innovations-network/south-dakota-nexus-transdisciplinary-obesity-prevention What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The transdisciplinary team of TOP co-investigators will focus our attention on dissemination over the remaining funding period. Furthermore, we will continue to fine tune our work associated with the other objectives. Details regarding the work remaining for each objective are provided below. Objective 1: For the second year, SDSU TOP students will be asked to participate in pre/post surveys to assess levels of improved team and community engagement skills as a result of their involvement in the TOP program. The resulting data will be aggregated and shared with the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice Data Repository. Dissemination of outcomes to further support interprofessional education will ensue which match our long range goals of developing a transdisciplinary program focused on childhood obesity prevention at a land-grant institution that can be duplicated on a national level. Objective 2: The TOP team has been most successful recruiting students from the disciplines of nutrition and dietetics and exercise science. We have found this is primarily because members of our team advise these students and directly suggest they enroll in the certificate. Our efforts in the remaining funding period need to focus on encouraging other programs to formally adopt the certificate as an option their faculty can share with their students and have a presence in their advising documents and website in order to have recruitment from other disciplines be more fluid and sustainable. We are considering the idea of making the coursework available online as well to make it feasible for some of our online degrees, such as the Masters of Public Health, offered as joint program through SDSU and the University of South Dakota. Objective 3: Data from the 2015-2016 cohort of TOP students showed that TOP students were improving in their understanding of the key learning objectives through their participation in TOP I and TOP II coursework. However, due to concerns shared by some students regarding the volume of work within the course, an effort will be made in the upcoming funding period to allow more time for the primary course objectives by scaling back the supporting concepts. Furthermore, we will use data from the previous cohort of TOP students to see which content areas they felt very confident in at the end of the course sequence and which concepts could benefit from being strengthened before the next offering. Objective 4: In the upcoming reporting period, the majority of our work will take place under this objective. Data analysis and manuscript writing is currently underway for multiple papers from the iGrow Readers study. Additionally, more ideas have been added to our list of potential manuscripts and are in line for our time and effort to analyze data and disseminate the findings through abstracts, articles, and oral and posters presentations. Objective 5: In our upcoming year of funding, our team will continue to complete process evaluation of our student experiential experiences. Objective 6: We will continue to work in collaboration with Extension at SDSU and UNL to offer our experiential learning experiences. Although TOP has previously provided some funding to support the community-based childhood obesity prevention work our students engage in for their experiential learning projects, we have transitioned to having our students assist with ongoing Extension projects funded through other mechanisms so we can continue to offer these hands on learning opportunities for our students. We have also partnered with the SDSU dietetics internship program and matched TOP alumni that are now completing the dietetic internship to help mentor and lead current TOP students in their experiential learning experiences within the community setting. Objective 7: We have one process paper currently in review with the (insert Journal name). Although we have met this objective with a strong degree of confidence, our team will continue to disseminate some of the innovative strategies used to integrate coursework with research and experiential learning experiences through additional publications. Dissemination of this information would allow other institutions to develop like certificate programs in the area of childhood obesity prevention after the TOP graduate certificate program.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obesity has nearly tripled among kids and teens over the past 30 years. Currently, one in three children in the United States (ages 2-19) is overweight or obese. Adults are also very dissatisfied with the quality of healthcare in the United States. In an effort to improve the performance of the healthcare system, the Institute of Healthcare Improvement createdthe triple aim, which consists of three goals that they believe will improve healthcare if worked on simultaneously.These goals include: to improvethe patient experience of care,reducethe per capita cost of healthcare, and to improve the health of populations.As a strategy to create health care professionals that that embody the skills required to meet the goals set forth in the triple aim, the World Health Organization suggests our educational system needs to change to support interprofessional education (IPE). IPE occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes.The main goal of our project is to create a Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention (TOP) graduate certificate program (using IPE) to train professionals to work collaboratively in teams to prevent/reduce childhood obesity and positively impact the triple aim. Historically IPE occurs at medical schools, but our team is creating a model to inform the creation of IPE experiences focused on childhood obesity prevention via a combination of coursework, research, and experiential experiences at land-grant institutions. Goals 1 & 3: South Dakota State University and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln completed the fifth academic year (Fall 2015-Spring 2016) and are currently in the sixth academic year (Fall 2016-Spring 2017) of the graduate certificate program in TOP (TOP). The certificate program includes two graduate level hybrid model courses and a practicum course in which students engage in community based experiential learning developed specifically for the TOP program. These core courses focus on introducing students to the transdisciplinary nature of childhood obesity, the social ecological model, the evidence based public health framework, community based participatory research, and grant writing with collaborative, transdisciplinary research teams. As part of the TOP curriculum, TOP students are required to participate in Experiential Learning Experiences (ELE) in partnership with SDSU and UNL Extension and participating health organizations and or community wellness coalitions. TOP students participated in a variety of ELEs across the reporting period. A synopsis of their experience is highlighted on the SDSU and UNL TOP Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/SDSUTOPs/ and https://www.facebook.com/UNLTOPprogram/?ref=hl The SDSU TOP certificate program continued partnership with the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (https://nexusipe.org/). The National Center originally invited us to join their nexus due to the innovation of our program. Typically Interprofessional Education occurs most often at medical schools and students gain experience working in collaborative teams in clinical experiences. Our program was one of few on the radar of the National Center that focused on health prevention in the community setting and was bringing together students from across a variety of disciplines at a land-grant institution. A summary of the work plan we established in partnership with the National Center is provided on their website at the following link: https://nexusipe.org/advancing/nexus-innovations-network/south-dakota-nexus-transdisciplinary-obesity-prevention. Goal 2: Fifty students have earned their graduate certificate in TOP (SDSU=28; UNL=22) since the program start in 2011. Twenty-nine graduate students have previously or are currently receiving a research assistantship (SDSU=3 PhD, 14 MS; UNL=3 PhD, 9 MS). Biographies of all of the current (http://www.sdstate.edu/hns/graduate-programs/top/profiles/index.cfm) SDSU TOP students and alumni (http://www.sdstate.edu/health-and-nutritional-sciences/2011-2012-cohort-1-students) are provided on the TOP program website; biographies for UNL students are on the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/UNLTOPprogram/?ref=hl). Goal 4: TOP research efforts are promoted through three primary mechanisms: 1) Student-lead obesity prevention thesis projects, 2) student-lead obesity prevention grant writing projects, and faculty-lead TOP projects and 3) Details on these efforts are included in other sections. Goal 5: The instructors overseeing the TOP experiential learning experience courses have developed a valuable partnership with Extension and rely on Extension to serve as the connection between the certificate program and the community, voicing opportunities for student involvement in childhood obesity prevention efforts. Numerous opportunities have been provided for students to gain experience working with underserved populations through the experiential learning experiences built into the TOP core curriculum. Goal 6: TOP students gain experience designing, implementing and evaluating childhood obesity prevention program through the TOP curriculum and the strong partnership between the TOP program and Extension at both SDSU and UNL. Students have been involved in developing, implementing, and evaluating transdisciplinary childhood obesity prevention programs, such as KidQuest and iGrow Readers through experiential learning experiences provided in TOP courses, student-lead research projects, and faculty-led research projects as graduate research assistants. TOP graduates have successfully obtained careers in the field of obesity prevention across the country. Goal 7: Collaborations with partnering organizations as a result of the experiential learning experiences have resulted in masters/dissertation work for multiple graduate students. Furthermore, existing relationship between Extension and community organizations have been extended allowing new faculty partnerships from diverse areas of study. TOP students have incorporated assessment of transdisciplinary variables into their research projects as a result of exposure through coursework or experiential learning experiences. Long Term Goal: The TOP team of investigators continued to collect process evaluation data on the efficacy of the TOP graduate certificate program through multiple evaluation modes with current students and alumni. The data is used to make improvements within the curriculum and prepare students who have earned the TOP certificate with the workforce entry skills necessary to make them highly qualified for professional positions in the field of childhood obesity prevention. SDSU and UNL have made a commitment to continue to support the TOP certificate program after funding for the program has expired, allowing for program sustainability. SDSU has integrated the workload for the three original TOP classes into the workload for two TOP investigators. Furthermore, the courses are integrated into the community track for the dietetics major and listed as electives for other key disciplines at SDSU. UNL has integrated the TOP Certificate program into the Community Health and Wellness graduate program and is an elective option for interested graduate students from other disciplines.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Meendering JR, Powell E, Pratt T, McCormack, L. Bigger ? Better: Wellness policy strength, comprehensiveness, implementation status and barriers in South Dakota Schools. Journal of School Health. 2016; 86 (9), 653-659
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Brandenburger SJ, Wells K, Stluka S. 2016. Utilizing Talking Circles as a means of gathering American Indian Stories for Developing Nutrition and Physical activity curriculum. Health Educ Behav Nov 18. pii: 1090198116674888
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Niswanger E, Droke EA, Stluka S, Chang K-L. 2016. The effects of food deserts on the weight status of South Dakota children. SD Medicine: the journal of the South Dakota Medical Association. 69:(2):59-61 PMID: 26999912.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Olesen M, Stluka S,�Meendering JR, and Kattelmann K. Jumpin Jacks: Social Marketing Campaign Aimed to Increase Awareness of Healthful Behavior in Fourth Grade Students.��Journal of Human Sciences and Extension. 2016; 4(2): ISSN 2325-5226.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Eggert E, Overby H., McCormack L., & Meendering JR. Use of a model wellness policy does not increase the strength and comprehensiveness of written school wellness policies. Journal of School Health. Submitted May 2016; Received Revise and Resubmit in November 2017 and Resubmitted December 2017. (In Review).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jensen, B., Anderson-Knott, M., Bowne, M., Boeckner, L., Stluka, S., Kattelmann, K., Meendering, J. (in press).� Innovation and collaboration:� creating a transdisciplinary childhood obesity prevention graduate certificate program.��Health and Interprofessional Practice.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Selland CA, Meendering JR, Kelly JJ, Gums KA, Vukovich MD. A Generalized Equation for Prediction of VO2max from a Step-Test. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. In Review.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Shafrath T, Stluka S, McCormack L, Wey H, Bowne M, Kattelmann, K, Meendering JR. iGrow Readers: Methodologies for a Multi-State, Childcare Center-Based, Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Donovan S.M., Jensen G.L., Rolls B.J., Meendering J.R., Rios-Ellis B., Robinson K.N., & Kling S.S. Transdisciplinary Training in Childhood Obesity Prevention: Approaches, Successes and Challenges. Selected for a 2 hour symposia at Experimental Biology, San Diego, CA, April 2-6, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Deiter C., Anderson S., Brockevelt B., Letcher D., Meendering J.R, Samra H.A., Sherman-Justice D. Building a NEXUS Network of Partners: Strategies for Building Relationships, Infrastructure & Action Plans. Learning Together at the Nexus: National Center Summit on the Future of IPE (Convened by the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education & Co-hosted by the American Interprofessional Health Collaborative). Minneapolis, MN, August 2016. https://nexusipe.org/nexus-summit-workshop-7
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Meendering J.R. Innovation and Collaboration: The Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention (TOP) Graduate Certificate Program. Presented at the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Highlights from the United States Department of Agriculture Symposia, San Diego, CA, July 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sinley RC, Albrecht JA. Exploring fruit and vegetable intake of American Indian children using a mixed methods approach. Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. April 2015; 29:251.8
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Boyle C, Anderson-Knott M, Song C, Fisher JA. Are youth programming mitigating minority health disparities? Lessons from two youth educational programs. American Evaluation Associations 30th Annual International Conference. Atlanta, GA, October 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Cleveland A, Boeckner L, Takahashi S, Fischer JA. 016. The relationship among fifth grade students' body size perception, FITNESSGRAM scores and physical activity level in PE class. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2016;116(9) Suppl 1:A32.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sellend CA, Vukovich MD, Meendering JR. Comparison of VO2 Peak from the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) and Treadmill in Children. Pediatric Exercise Science. In Review.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Painter K, Boeckner L, Takahashi S, Franzen-Castle L. Relationships between parental energy balance-related behaviors and their child's weight status and performance on FTINESSGRAM in-school assessment. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2016;116(9) Suppl 1:A30.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Meendering JR, Boeckner L, Jensen B, Stluka S, Kattelmann K, Wey H, Droke E, Bowne M, Fischer JA, DeGuzman M, Anderson-Knott M, Takahasi S. Creating a Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Certificate Program: A Focus on Interprofessional Education and the Triple Aim. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2016; 47(7), S124-S125.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Selland C., Meendering J.R., Vukovich M. Evaluation of the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) to determine Vo2 Peak in Children. Medicine Science Sports and Exercise. 2015; 47(5) Supplement, 125
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Selland CA, Meendering JR, Vukovich, MD. Validity and prediction of VO2peak from the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) in children. Medicine Science Sports and Exercise. 2017; In Press.
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Huber EC, Meendering JR, Vukovich, MD. Not all Physical Activity Guidelines Are Created Equal: A Comparison of Compliance in Preschool Children. Medicine Science Sports and Exercise. 2017; In Press
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sinley RC, Albrecht JA. Understanding fruit and vegetable intake of Native American children: A mixed methods study. Appetite. June 2016;101:62-70. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.03.007
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Nepper MJ, Chai W. Validation of a checklist to assess the home food environment of school-aged children. Health Behavior and Policy Review. 2016;3(4):348-360. DOI: 10.14485/HBPR.3.4.6
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hall EM, Chai W, Albrecht JA. Evaluation of a K-2 elementary nutrition education program. Health Behavior and Policy Review. 2016;3(1):70-80. DOI: 10.14485/HBPR.3.1.8
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sinley, R.C., Albrecht, J.A. Fruit and vegetable perceptions among caregivers of American Indian toddlers and community stakeholders: A qualitative study. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. 2015;2:341-350. DOI: 10.1007/s40615-014-0079-2
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Nepper MJ, Chai W. Assessment of home food environment among healthy weight and overweight school-age children. Health Behavior and Policy Review. 2016;3(6):568-580. DOI: 10.14485/HBPR.3.6.6
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Nepper MJ, Chai W. Parents' barriers and strategies to promote healthy eating among school-age children. Appetite. 2016;103:157-164, 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.04.012
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hall EM, Chai W, Albrecht JA. Relationships between nutrition-related knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior for fifth grade students attending Title I and non-Title I schools. Appetite. 2016;96:245-253. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2015.09.033
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hall EM, Chai W, Albrecht JA. A qualitative phenomenological exploration of teachers' experience with nutrition education. American Journal of Health Education. 2016;47(3):136-148. DOI: 10.1080/19325037.2016.1157532.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sinley, R.C., Albrecht, J.A. Use of the conceptual change teaching method to address food safety among Native American and Hispanic food preparers. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2015;47(4): 390-393. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2015.03.008
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Nepper MJ, Chai W. Associations of the home food environment with eating behaviors and weight status among children and adolescents. Journal of Nutrition and Food Science. 2015;S12: 004. DOI: 10.4172/2155-9600.S12-004
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Nepper MJ, Chai W. Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Dietary Patterns of Preadolescents Attending Schools in the Midwest. The Journal of Child Nutrition and Management. 2015;39(2) http://schoolnutrition.org/NewsPublications/JCNM/2015/Fall/
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Nepper MJ, Ludemann M, Chai W. Validation of instruments to assess home food environment of pre-adolescents: a pilot study. Journal of Nutritional Health and Food Sciences. 2014;2(4):1-9. DOI: 10.15226/jnhfs.2014.00132
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Garcia A, Anderson-Knott M, Dev D, Takahashi S. Determinants of physical activity for Latino and White middle school-aged children. Journal of School Health.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Do KA, Anderson-Knott M, De Guzman MRT, Boeckner L. Koszewski W. Facilitators and barriers to students learning in a Childhood Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention (TOP) Graduate Program. Journal of Interprofessional Care.
  • Type: Other Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Karskey K, Kattelmann K, Wey H, McCormack LA, Bowne M, Stluka S, Shafrath T, Wells K, Meendering JR. Effectiveness of Train the Trainer Methodology for Delivery of a Preschool Nutrition and Physical Activity Curriculum. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.


Progress 03/15/15 to 03/14/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences of the TOP program includes SDSU and UNL graduate students enrolled in the TOP graduate certificate program. The target audience for the TOP experiential learning experiences and research experiences included in the curriculum include the TOP students, but also the populations they are working with, such as: SNAP-Education & EFNEP recipients, underserved ethnically diverse populations, school administrators, 3-5 year old child care centers and their students, school wellness coordinators, and community wellness coalitions. Changes/Problems:One of the major challenges faced by the TOP team in the fifth year of the program was diversifying the disciplines that enrolled in the TOP graduate certificate program. Although we have had participation from a wide variety of disciplines, the majority of the students enrolling and earning the TOP certificate were in the fields of nutrition or exercise science. In an effort to recruit faculty from a broader scope of majors to recommend the program to their graduate students we sought to create a steering committee for the TOP program that was composed of professors and extension personnel from across campus. We met with many of these professions, shared our goal, and gathered feedback that 7 credits of TOP core coursework and 2 elective credits is a large load for a student fit into their plan of study. Thus, our team was working with each discipline to insure there were elective credits from each area of study that we anticipated participating that could be used as credit to their graduate degree and also towards their TOP certificate. During this process new graduate certificate requirements were put in place at SDSU limiting the number of credits that could be used towards a degree and also used toward earning a certificate. We are currently meeting with the graduate school to discuss this limitation and devise a solution that would improve the feasibility of completing the certificate for fields of study outside of nutrition and physical activity without drastically increasing the cost to the student or the time it will take them to earn their degree. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Beyond the core curriculum, the TOP certificate program provides funding for multiple TOP students to travel to state, regional, and national conferences, such as, but not limited to: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo, the American College of Sports Medicine, the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the World Congress of Biomechanics, the Global Summit on Physical Activity in Children, the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, the International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society, and Experimental Biology. While attending these conferences students present their research and network with other professionals in the field of childhood obesity prevention. In addition, the TOP graduate certificate program has provided funding for students to earn the following additional certifications related to childhood obesity prevention: American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist, American College of Sports Medicine Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Commission on Dietetic Registration Child and Adolescent Weight Management Certificate. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The TOP graduate certificate program has been advertised across the SDSU and UNL campus via the University websites, Facebook pages, electronic bulletin boards, and print media created for student recruitment. The program is also advertised to a wider audience through the SDSU and UNL Facebook pages, which feature current events in the field of childhood obesity prevention, highlights on TOP student accomplishments, and TOP student spotlights. The TOP graduate certificate program has also been disseminated through the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice https://nexusipe.org/advancing/nexus-innovations-network/south-dakota-nexus-transdisciplinary-obesity-prevention What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The transdisciplinary team of TOP co-investigators plans to continue to the efforts we have documented in the present report and expand upon our efforts with a focus in our sixth year on completing each objective outlined in our original proposal. Details regarding the work remaining for each objective are provided below. Objective 1: SDSU TOP students will be asked to participate in pre/post surveys to assess levels of improved team and community engagement skills as a result of their involvement in the TOP program. All surveys and methodology have been approved by the Institutional Review Board at SDSU. The resulting data will be aggregated and shared with the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice Data Repository. Dissemination of outcomes to further support interprofessional education will ensue which match our long range goals of developing a program that can be duplicated on a national level. Objective 2: SDSU is currently creating an advisory committee composed of one faculty representative from each graduate program that has been identified as a target for student enrollment in order to continue to diversify the student disciplines seeking the TOP certificate. The advisory committee will be used to evaluate the core and elective requirements of the TOP certificate, in an attempt to make the certificate program more feasible in the plan of study for students of all targeted programs. Protocols for recruitment, student biographies, Facebook page management, certificate tracking, etc. are being adjusted to allow for sustainable functionality past the grant end date. Objective 3: The data from the 2014-2015 academic year displayed suggest TOP students are improving in their understanding of the key learning objectives through the TOP I and TOP II coursework. However, a small percentage of students did not improve to the "very confident" or "somewhat confident" categories after completion of the TOP I and TOP II coursework. Further evaluation will be done in year 6 to better understand what barriers these students faced that can be improved for future offerings and subsequent changes will be made. Objective 4: Data collection and data entry for the iGrow Readers project is currently complete and data analysis is underway. In year six we will disseminate the findings through abstracts, articles, and oral and posters presentations. Objective 5: During the 2014-2015 academic year, we began gathering data from site preceptors regarding the verbal and written communication skills of the students and the project outcome. We also developed a more detailed assessment of the TOP experiential experience including a TOP practicum student reflective journal assignment. At UNL, the experiential learning experience was separated from the content course and offered as a separate 1-credit practicum course which placed the student more in charge of their experience and establishing the relationship with the site preceptor. In our upcoming year of funding, our team will continue to complete process evaluation of our experiential experience, with particular attention to the experience student's gain working with underserved populations Objective 6: Due to our approval of a one year no-cost extension, TOP cohort 5 would have the full academic year to participate in professional development and research opportunities consistent with previous cohorts of TOP students. In subsequent cohorts, funding for professional development will transition over to research funding obtained by TOP student advisors in the area of childhood obesity prevention. Thus, in the next funding period our team needs to continue to seek funding to build upon the work completed from the current funding source. Objective 7: Although we have met this objective with a strong degree of confidence, our team will continue to disseminate some of the innovative strategies used to integrate coursework with research and experiential learning experiences. Dissemination of this information would allow other instructions to model future program development in the area of childhood obesity prevention after the TOP graduate certificate program. Process papers are underway to guide other institutions is setting up a transdisciplinary program in childhood obesity preventions.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obesity has nearly tripled among kids and teens over the past 30 years. Currently, one in three children in the United States (ages 2-19) is overweight or obese. Adults are also very dissatisfied with the quality of healthcare in the United States. In an effort to improve the performance of the healthcare system, the Institute of Healthcare Improvement createdthe triple aim, which consists of three goals that they believe will improve healthcare if worked on simultaneously.These goals include: to improvethe patient experience of care,reducethe per capita cost of healthcare, and to improve the health of populations.As a strategy to create health care professionals that that embody the skills required to meet the goals set forth in the triple aim, the World Health Organization suggests our educational system needs to change to support interprofessional education (IPE). IPE occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes.The main goal of our project is to create a Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention (TOP) graduate certificate program (using IPE) to train professionals to work collaboratively in teams to prevent/reduce childhood obesity and positively impact the triple aim. Historically IPE occurs at medical schools, but our team is creating a model to inform the creation of IPE experiences focused on childhood obesity prevention via a combination of coursework, research, and experiential experiences at land grant institutions. Goals 1 & 3: South Dakota State University and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln completed the fourth academic year (Fall 2014-Spring 2015) and are currently in the fifth academic year (Fall 2015-Spring 2016) of the graduate certificate program in Childhood TOP (TOP). The certificate program includes two graduate level hybrid model courses and a practicum course in which students engage in community based experiential learning developed specifically for the TOP program. These core courses focus on introducing students to the transdisciplinary nature of childhood obesity, the social ecological model, the evidence based public health framework, community based participatory research, and grant writing with collaborative, transdisciplinary research teams. As part of the TOP curriculum, TOP students are required to participate in Experiential Learning Experiences (ELE) in partnership with SDSU and UNL Extension and participating health organizations and or community wellness coalitions. TOP students participated in a variety of ELEs across the last year of program implementation, including: working with a community group on a HEAL MAPPS project, working with a local school district to improve the wellness status of employees in an effort to help them serve as positive role models for the students they teach, working with a health and physical education teacher to deliver a nutrition and physical education program called KidQuest. Other ELE experiences included working with Smarter Lunchroom Movement in the elementary and middle school environments, implementing afterschool nutrition education program with cooperative extension program, and a Building Healthy Families community-based program with the University of Nebraska-Kearney. A synopsis of their experience is highlighted on the SDSU and UNL TOP Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/SDSUTOPs/ and https://www.facebook.com/UNLTOPprogram/?ref=hl The SDSU TOP certificate program was recognized by the National Center for IPE and Practice (https://nexusipe.org/) as an innovative, IPE program by being invited to be part of the National Center's nexus. A summary of the work plan submitted and approved by the National Center is provided on their website at the following link: https://nexusipe.org/advancing/nexus-innovations-network/south-dakota-nexus-transdisciplinary-obesity-prevention. Goal 2: Thirty-one students have earned their graduate certificate in TOP (SDSU=17; UNL=14) since the program start in 2011. Twenty-nine graduate students have previously or are currently receiving a research assistantship (SDSU=3 PhD, 14 MS; UNL=3 PhD, 9 MS). Forty-one students are currently enrolled with the intention of completing the TOP graduate certificate program from SDSU (n=27) and UNL (n=14). Biographies of all SDSU TOP students are provided on the TOP program website (http://www.sdstate.edu/hns/graduate-programs/top/profiles/index.cfm; biographies for UNL students are on the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/UNLTOPprogram/?ref=hl). Goal 4: TOP research efforts are promoted through three primary mechanisms: 1) Student-lead obesity prevention thesis projects, 2) student-lead obesity prevention grant writing projects, and faculty-lead TOP projects and 3) Details on these efforts are included in other sections. Goal 5: The instructors overseeing the TOP experiential learning experience courses have developed a valuable partnership with Extension and rely on Extension to serve as the connection between the certificate program and the community, voicing opportunities for student involvement in childhood obesity prevention efforts. Numerous opportunities have been provided for students to gain experience working with underserved populations through the experiential learning experiences built into the TOP core curriculum. Goal 6: TOP students gain experience designing, implementing and evaluating childhood obesity prevention program through the TOP curriculum and the strong partnership between the TOP program and Extension at both SDSU and UNL. Students have been involved in developing, implementing, and evaluating transdisciplinary childhood obesity prevention programs, such as KidQuest and iGrow Readers through experiential learning experiences provided in TOP courses, student-lead research projects, and faculty-led research projects as graduate research assistants. TOP graduates have successfully obtained careers in the field of obesity prevention across the country. Goal 7: Collaborations with partnering organizations as a result of the experiential learning experiences have resulted in masters/dissertation work for multiple graduate students. Furthermore, existing relationship between Extension and community organizations have been extended allowing new faculty partnerships from diverse areas of study. TOP students have incorporated assessment of transdisciplinary variables into their research projects as a result of exposure through coursework or experiential learning experiences. Long Term Goal: The TOP team of investigators continued to collect process evaluation data on the efficacy of the TOP graduate certificate program through multiple evaluation modes with current students and alumni. The data is used to make improvements within the curriculum and prepare students who have earned the TOP certificate with the workforce entry skills necessary to make them highly qualified for professional positions in the field of childhood obesity prevention. SDSU and UNL have made a commitment to continue to support the TOP certificate program after funding for the program has expired, allowing for program sustainability. SDSU has integrated the workload for the three original TOP classes into the workload for two TOP investigators. Furthermore, the courses are integrated into the community track for the dietetics major and listed as electives for other key disciplines at SDSU. UNL has integrated the TOP Certificate program into the Community Health and Wellness graduate program and is an elective option for interested graduate students from other disciplines.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Loes J., Huber E.C., Bowne M., Stluka S., Wells K., Nelson T., Kattelmann K., & Meendering, J.R. (2015) iGrow Readers: A Literature-Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Young Children. . Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 47 (4) Supplement, S31.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Selland C., Meendering J.R., Vukovich M. (2015) Evaluation of the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER to determine Vo2 Peak in Children. Medicine Science Sports and Exercise. 47(5) Supplement, 125.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Overby H.J., Dinkel D., Huberty J.L., Stluka S., & Meendering J.R. (2015) PhotoVoice: Engaging the School Community in School Wellness Efforts. International Journal of Exercise Science. 12(1), Article 13. Available at: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol12/iss1/13.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Selland C., Meendering J.R., Vukovich M. (2015) Evaluation of the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) to determine Vo2 Peak in Children. International Journal of Exercise Science. 12(1), Article 1. Available at: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol12/iss1/1.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Eggert E., Overby H., & Meendering J.R. (2015) Use of model wellness policies and additional resources do not increase the strength and comprehensiveness of written school wellness policies. International Journal of Exercise Science. 12(1), Article 9. Available at: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol12/iss1/9.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Nepper MJ, Chai W. (2015) Exploring parents perceptions of healthy eating in the home food environment of children, ages 6-12 years: A qualitative study. Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 115(9) Supplement 2, A93.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hall E, Chai W, Koszewski W, Albrecht A.(2015) Self-efficacy is associated with healthy eating behaviors for fifth grade students. FASEB Journal, 29: 911.5.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Cleveland A., Painter K., Takahashi S., Fischer JA., Hall J., Jensen B., Anderson-Knott M., Wallinga M., Srivastava D., & Boeckner L. (2015) KidQuest: A Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Designed for Preadolescent Students. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(9) Supplement 2, A100.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hall E., Chai W., Koszewski W., & Albrecht J. (2015) Relationships Between Nutrition-related Knowledge, Self-efficacy, and Behavior for Fifth Grade Students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 47(4S), S66.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chai W. & Nepper M. (2015) Assessment of Fruit and Vegetable Intakes and Dietary Patterns of Preadolescents Ages 8-14 Years. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 47(4S), S79.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Stluka S, Brandenburger S, Gibson J, Hadlock L, Powell E., & Seidl E. (2015) Utilizing Talking Circles to Identify Wellness Barriers in Rural Native American Communities. International Journal of Health, Wellness and Society, 4 (3-4).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Niswanger E., Droke E., Stluka S. & Chang K.L. (2015) The Effects of Food Deserts on the Weight Status of South Dakota Children. South Dakota Medicine 69(2).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Olesen M, Kattelmann K, Meendering J, Stluka S. (2016) Jumpin Jacks: Social marketing campaign aimed to increase awareness of healthful behavior in South Dakota fourth grade students. J. Human Sciences & Extension.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Selland CA, Meendering JR, Kelly JJ, Gums K, Vukovich, MD. (2016) A generalized equation for prediction of VO2peak from a step-test. Submitted to Journal of Sports Sciences.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Meendering JR., Powell E., & Pratt T, & McCormack L. (2015) Bigger ? Better: The Quality of School Wellness Policies is Lower in Larger School Districts. Journal of School Health.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Litz AM, VanGuilder GP. (2015) Increased arterial stiffness in South Dakota American Indian Children. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 41(2):150-6. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0426. Epub 2015 Oct 21.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hall EM, Chai W, Albrecht JA. (2015) Evaluation of a K-12 Elementary Nutrition Education Program. Health Behavior and Policy Review.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hall EM, Chai W. Koszewski W, Albrecht JA.(2015) Development and Validation of a Social Cognitive Theory-based Survey for Elementary Nutrition Education Program. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 12(47) DOI: 10.1186/s12966-015-0206-4.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Nepper MJ, Chai W. (2015) Associations of the Home Food Environment with Eating Behaviors and Weight Status Among Children and Adolescents Journal of Nutrition and Food Science S12: 004. doi:10.4172/2155-9600.S12-004
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sinley RC, Albrecht JA. (2015) Understanding Fruit and Vegetable Intake of Native American Children: A Mixed Methods Study Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 29:251.8
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sinley RC, Albrecht JA. Application of the IMB model to Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Native American Children Journal of Maternal and Child Health.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Nepper MJ, Chai W.(2015) Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Dietary Patterns of Preadolescents Attending Schools in the Midwest. The Journal of Child Nutrition and Management.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sinley, R.C., Albrecht, J.A. (2015) Use of the conceptual change teaching method to address food safety among Native American and Hispanic food preparers. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 47 (4): 390-393. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2015.03.008
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sinley, R.C., Albrecht, J.A. (2015) Fruit and vegetable perceptions among caregivers of American Indian toddlers and community stakeholders: A qualitative study. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. DOI: 10.1007/s40615-014-0079-2
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hall E. (2015) An evaluation and exploration of nutrition education in elementary schools. (PhD dissertation) University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE available at: digitalcommons.unl.edu/nutritiondiss/59/
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Robine, A. (2015) Discovery Neighborhood MyPlate: A Pilot Study (MS thesis) University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE available at: digitalcommons.unl.edu/nutritiondiss/56/
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: SDSU TOP Website: http://www.sdstate.edu/hns/graduate-programs/top/index.cfm SDSU TOP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDSUTOPs UNL TOP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLTOPprogram?ref=hl UNL: TOP Website: http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/prospective/programs/Cert_ChildhoodObesity
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Meendering J.R, Nelson T., & Kattelmann K. Couch Potato to Active Artichoke: The Science and Application of Increasing Physical Activity. Symposia, The Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior Annual Meeting. Pittsburg, PA, July 25-July28, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Srivastava D., Kok CM., Eum J., Garcia A., De Guzman M., Xia Y., Hong S., Durden T., Do A., Qing S., Zhang V., Tuliao M., & Damian S. Conceptions Regarding Children's Health among Asian Immigrant Parents in the Midwest. Oral Presentation, Society for Cross Cultural Research, Portland, OR, February 17-20, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Stluka S., Wells K., Bowne M., Nelson T., & Meendering J. iGrow Readers, Can You? Improving Preschoolers Health Through Literacy. Oral Presentation, National Health Outreach Conference, Atlanta, GA, May 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Donovan S.M., Jensen G.L., Rolls B.J., Meendering J.R., Rios-Ellis B., Robinson K.N., & Kling S.S. Transdisciplinary Training in Childhood Obesity Prevention: Approaches, Successes and Challenges. Symposia, Experimental Biology, San Diego, CA, April 2-6, 2016
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kattelmann K., Bowne M., McCormack L., & Stluka S. Growing Healthy Communities and Families: Using the Land Grant Mission of Research, Education and Extension. Oral Presentation, Avera and South Dakota State University Research Day, September 30, 2015
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Srivastava D., Anderson-Knott M., Boeckner L., Takahashi S., Fischer J.A., & Wallinga M. Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity among Middle School Students in Nebraska. Poster Presentation, Biennial Childhood Obesity Prevention Conference, San Diego, CA, June 29-July 1, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Eggert E., Overby H., & Meendering J.R. Use of model wellness policies and additional resources do not increase the strength and comprehensiveness of written school wellness policies. Poster Presentation, International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA), Edinburgh, Scotland, June 3-6, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Overby H.J., Dinkel D., Huberty J.L., Stluka S., & Meendering J.R. PhotoVoice: Engaging the School Community in School Wellness Efforts. Poster Presentation, International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA), Edinburgh, Scotland, June 3-6, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Loes J., Huber E.C., Bowne M., Stluka S., Wells K., Nelson T., Kattelmann K., & Meendering, J.R. (2015) iGrow Readers: A Literature-Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Young Children. Poster Presentation, SDSU/Sanford Research Day, Sioux Falls, SD, November 10, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hall E., Albrecht J., Chai W., Vierregger A., Hall J., & Koszewski W. Evaluation of Nutrition and Physical Activity Curricula Based on the Social Cognitive Theory. Poster Presentation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) Student Research Conference, Lincoln, NE, November 14, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Cleveland A., Robine A., Strehlow K., Sinley R., & Wood M. Smarter Lunchroom Movement Intervention. Poster Presentation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) Student Research Conference, Lincoln, NE, November 14, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Takahashi S., Anderson-Knott M., Boeckner L., Fischer JA., Wallinga M., & Hall J. Effects of Body Mass Index Status on FitnessGram Score Improvements in Middle School Students. Poster Presentation, National Strength and Conditioning Association National Conference, Orlando, FL, July 8, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jones K., Painter K., Richardson K., & Stegen D. National School Breakfast Week Marketing Intervention. Poster Presentation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) Student Research Conference, Lincoln, NE, November 14, 2015.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Meendering J.R., Boeckner L., Jensen B., Stluka S., Kattelmann K., Wey H., Droke E., Bowne M., Fischer J.A., Wallinga M., DeGuzman M., Anderson-Knott M., Takahasi S., & Hall, J. (2015) Innovation and Collaboration: Creating a Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Certificate Program. A Focus on Sustainability and Expansion. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 47 (4) Supplement, S100.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Overby H.J., Meendering J.R., Stluka S., Eggert E. (2015) Utilizing PhotoVoice to Engage the School Community in School Wellness Efforts. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 47 (4) Supplement, S31.


Progress 03/15/14 to 03/14/15

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences of the TOP program includes SDSU and UNL graduate students enrolled in the TOP graduate certificate program. The target audience for the TOP experiential learning experiences and research experiences included in the curriculum include the TOP students, but also the populations they are working with, such as: SNAP-Education & EFNEP recipients, underserved ethnically diverse populations, school administrators, 3-5 year old child care centers and students, school wellness coordinators, and community wellness coalitions. Changes/Problems: One of the major challenges faced by the TOP team in the fourth year of the program was proposing the TOP certificate be offered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA). Our team invested a large volume of time and energy putting the proposal together and drafting ideas as to how we would implement the program through a completely onside mode. In the end, we came to the conclusion that offering the TOP graduate certificate through GPIDEA was not yet a feasible option as the GPIDEA board did not approve of offering the program through our respective institutions and also through GPIDEA. Our team was unwilling to sacrifice offering the program to the students on site at SDSU and UNL in order to offer via GPIDEA. Thus, the TOP team of investigators decided to no longer pursue offering the graduate certificate program via GPIDEA. Offering the program via GPIDEA was not necessary in order to sustain the program past the grant funding period. SDSU and UNL have worked collaboratively at the department, college and university level to ensure the TOP certificate program has been integrated into the graduate curriculum at SDSU and UNL. Another challenge we faced in the fourth year of the program was transitioning the curriculum into a hybrid course format. A hybrid course requires at least 50% of the classes need to be facilitated online and the other days of class can be offered in traditional face to face format. Revising the course format, content materials, and the student learning outcomes for TOP I and TOP II to be feasible for a hybrid format took a large volume of time and energy. We conducted focus groups with both SDSU and UNL students to inquire about the course delivery format. Preliminary data analysis showcases that students wanted more face time with faculty and found it challenging to hold themselves accountable for course preparation outside of face to face meetings. These data will be used to improve the curriculum for the 2015-2016 academic year. The TOP faculty felt it important to keep the course in hybrid format and to incorporate lessons that will help teach students how to be accountable, independent, learners outside of the face to face classroom, as this is an important workforce entry skill in the field of childhood obesity prevention. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Beyond the core curriculum, the TOP certificate program provides funding for multiple TOP students to travel to state, regional, and national conferences, such as, but not limited to: the American College of Sports Medicine, the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the World Congress of Biomechanics, the Global Summit on Physical Activity in Children, the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, the International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society, and Experimental Biology. While attending these conferences students present their research and network with other professionals in the field of childhood obesity prevention. In addition, the TOP graduate certificate program has provided funding for students to earn the following additional certifications related to childhood obesity prevention: American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist, American College of Sports Medicine Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Commission on Dietetic Registration Child and Adolescent Weight Management Certificate. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The TOP graduate certificate program has been advertised across the SDSU and UNL campus via the University websites, Facebook pages, and print media created for student recruitment. The TOP team is presently working with University Relations to create a recruitment brochure that can be used to recruit new faculty from diverse fields of study related to childhood obesity to be part of our advisory committee and work collaboratively to recruit graduate students from their disciplines to participate in the certificate program. The program is also advertised to a wider audience through the SDSU and UNL Facebook pages, which feature current events in the field of childhood obesity prevention, highlights on TOP student accomplishments, and TOP student spotlights. The TOP graduate certificate program has also been disseminated through the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice https://nexusipe.org/. The TOP team gave a presentation on the innovative, community based, experiential learning experiences in the field of childhood obesity prevention at the National Center annual meeting in Minneapolis, MN in September, 2014. The TOP team will work with the National Center for IPE to study the impact of the community based, transdisciplinary, experiential learning experiences on the triple aim of health care. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The transdisciplinary team of TOP co-investigators plans to continue to the efforts we have documented in the present report and expand upon our efforts with a focus in our fifth year on: 1) dissemination of program process evaluation to other institutions of higher education interested in creating a transdisciplinary childhood obesity prevention program that spans disciplines, 2) creation of an advisory committee of faculty to improve student recruitment outside of the fields of exercise science and nutrition, and 3) creation of a long term management plan and annual protocol to guide the TOP graduate certificate programs at SDSU and UNL past the grant funding date, in order to ensure program consistency between institutions and relevancy of the TOP curriculum to workforce entry skills in the field of childhood obesity prevention.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Goal 1 & Goal 3: South Dakota State University and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln completed the third academic year (Fall 2013-Spring 2014) and are currently in the fourth academic year (Fall 2014-Spring 2015) of the graduate certificate program in Childhood Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention (TOP). The certificate program includes two 700 level hybrid model courses and a laboratory course (UNL) or experiential learning course (SDSU) developed specifically for the TOP program. The courses focus on introducing students to the transdisciplinary nature of childhood obesity, the social ecological model, the evidence based public health framework, community based participatory research, and grant writing with collaborative, transdisciplinary research teams. The TOP team was approached by the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice and recognized for our program innovation in the field of Interprofessional Education. Since initial contact with the National Center, we have presented at their National Meeting in Minneapolis, MN (September, 2014), and are creating an evaluation plan to study the impact of their experiential learning experience course on their perceptions of interprofessional education in healthcare and their knowledge, skill and ability to work in a transdisciplinary team towards a common public health goal. As part of the TOP curriculum, TOP students are required to participate in Experiential Learning Experiences (ELE) in partnership with Cooperative Extension and participating health organizations and or community wellness coalitions. TOP students participated in a variety of ELEs across the last year of program implementation, including: conducting walk audits in collaboration with a community wellness coalition to evaluate walkability, disseminate findings to the community, and to advocate for environmental changes to support active modes of transportation to promote physical activity; working collaboratively SDSU Extension to create a community food council and hold a community forum to increase awareness about food security, working with schools to implement Smarter Lunchroom Movement programs, designing plans to address bullying related to weight issues, promoting school breakfast program, implementing the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care at multiple facilities, and educating elementary school students and their families on proper nutrition, physical activity, and cooking skills through the use of KidQuest and afterschool cooking clubs. SDSU TOP Co-Investigator, Suzanne Stluka worked with 21 students enrolled in the SDRural Experiences for Health Professions Students (REHPS) Summer Experience Program to build the foundation for establishing wellness coalitions in their host communities. The goal of REHPS is toincrease the number of medical professionals who practice in rural areas throughout South Dakota. The REHPS team and the TOP team are brainstorming potential projects our students can do in collaboration to continue to build the transdisciplinary nature of the TOP program and expose our students to additional health professionals. Goal 2 Thirty-four students are currently enrolled with the intention of completing the TOP graduate certificate program from SDSU (n=19) and UNL (n=15). Thirteen students are en route to complete the certificate upon completion of the 2014-2015 academic year (SDSU=6; UNL=3) and 21 students have earned their graduate certificate in TOP (SDSU=13; UNL=8) since the program start in 2011. Nine graduate research assistantships (SDSU=2 PhD, 4 MS; UNL=1 PhD, 2 MS) are currently provided for TOP students. Goal 4: TOP students participated in a variety of transdisciplinary research projects evaluating:, techniques of cardiorespiratory physical fitness testing in children, cultural barriers to physical activity in Native American populations, the development and feasibility of a culturally appropriate nutrition and physical activity intervention program for Native American populations, the biomechanics of running in overweight/obese children, linkage of BMI with food desserts, wellness policy, body image, physical fitness assessments in elementary schools, physical activity and nutrition knowledge of childcare providers, the efficacy of the KidQuest program to change nutrition and physical activity behaviors when implemented in the classroom and afterschool settings in tweens, the efficacy of the iGrow Readers curriculum to change nutrition and physical activity knowledge and behavior in 3-5 year old children, body site stereotyping in 3-5 year old children, parental support and home environment, and process evaluation of the implementation KidQuest in afterschool settings. Goal 5: N/A Goal 6: Since the certificate's conception in 2011, TOP graduates have successfully obtained careers in the field of obesity prevention such as positions with the University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension (Lincoln, NE), the Nebraska Department of Education (Lincoln, NE), the Friendship Home (Lincoln, NE), Nebraska Beef Council, University of Nebraska-Kearney, South Dakota State University Extension (Mitchell, Sioux Falls, and Watertown, SD), Presentation College (Aberdeen, SD), South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD), Regions Hospital (St. Paul, MN), Sanford Health (Sioux Falls, SD). In addition, we have students who have started their own LLC focused on health and wellness research, are in the process of applying to medical school, and who are in dietetics internship programs. Goal 7: Covered in other entries. Long Term Goal: The TOP team of investigators continued to collect process evaluation data on the efficacy of the TOP graduate certificate program through multiple evaluation modes with current students and alumni. The data is used to make improvements within the curriculum and prepare students who have earned the TOP certificate with the workforce entry skills necessary to make them highly qualified for professional positions in the field of childhood obesity prevention. TOP faculty have taken multiple steps to work towards the sustainability of the TOP graduate certificate program, such as: 1) initiating curriculum changes to transition TOP lecture courses to hybrid offerings (part face to face and part online) for the 2014-2015 cohort to pilot the ability to offer the courses strictly online in subsequent offerings, 2) planning curriculum changes to have experiential learning experience (ELE) sites that are used repeatedly, 3) initiating discussions regarding training ELE site mentors on interprofessional education concepts, 4) presenting the idea to offer the TOP graduate certificate through the 20 Universities involved in the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) www.gpidea.org. After many meetings with the GPIDEA board, they confirmed that they liked the idea of the program, but to be consistent with previous rulings, they were unwilling to allow us to offer a program through GPIDEA that we also offer face to face at our given institutions. Due to this rule, the TOP team did not feel it was ethical to eliminate the program from being offered onsite for SDSU and UNL students to gain the opportunity to offer the program via GPIDEA. Thus, discussions with GPIDEA have ceased for the present time.

Publications

  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: de Guzman, M.R.T., Do, K.A., & Kok, C. (2014). The cultural contexts of children's prosocial behavior. In L. P. Walker & G. Carlo (Eds.), Prosocial development: A multidimensional approach (pp. 221-241). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Meendering, J.R. & Nelson, T. Couch Potato to Active Artichoke: The Science and Application of Increasing Physical Activity. Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Pittsburgh, PA, Oral Presentation, Accepted for Presentation: July 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Stluka, S., Wells, K., Bowne, M., Nelson, T. iGrow Readers, can you? Improving preschoolers health through literacy. National Health Outreach Conference. Atlanta, GA, Oral Presentation, Accepted for Presentation: May 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Meendering, J.R. & Dieter C. Evaluating the Impact of Interprofessional Experiential Learning Experiences in Transdisciplinary Classrooms via the Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Graduate Certificate Program. National Center for Interprofessional Education National Meeting. Minneapolis, MN, Oral Presentation, September, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Meendering J.R. Rethinking Physical Activity Promotion: An Introduction to the Active Couch Potato. South Dakota State University Health and Nutritional Sciences Conference. Brookings, SD, Oral Presentation, April, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Selland C., Huber E., Braastad K., Bowne M., Meendering J.R. Influence of parenting style on body mass index, physical activity and sedentary time. 2014 Global Summit on Physical Activity of Children. Toronto, Canada, Oral Presentation, May 19-22.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Meendering J.R., Overby H., & Stluka S. PhotoVoice: Engaging the School Community in School Wellness Efforts. Healthy South Dakota Stakeholders Meeting. Chamberlain, SD, Oral Presentation, October, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Roles, K., Bowser, B. Differences in running mechanics between obese and non-obese children. Sanford/South Dakota State University Research Symposium, Brookings, SD, Oral Presentation, November 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kok, C. The family mealtime study: A mixed methods study on parental socialization of youths dietary behaviors during family mealtimes. UNL CEHS Student Research Conference. Lincoln, NE, Oral Presentation, November 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Srivastava D, de Guzman MRT. Ethnotheories about Satellite Parenting in Asian Indian Immigrants. National Council of Family Relations. Baltimore, MD, Oral Presentation, November 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Srivastava D, de Guzman MRT. Why I sent my child away: Satellite Parenting among Asian Indian Immigrants in the Midwest. Society for Cross Cultural Research. Albuquerque, NM, Oral Presentation, February 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Rida, Z. Why address school wellness policy. Nebraska Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics-West Central District Meeting. North Platte, NE, Oral Presentation, April, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Rida, Z. Child nutrition and new school meal patterns. Nebraska Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics-West Central District Meeting. North Platte, NE, Oral Presentation, April 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Rida, Z. Nebraska local wellness policy in schools and childcare centers. Mountain Plains Region Child Nutrition Programs Nutrition Meeting. Denver, CO, Oral Presentation, May, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Rida, Z. 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act and Childhood Obesity Prevention. Nebraska Action for Healthy Kids. Lincoln, NE, Oral Presentation, May, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Stluka S, Brandenburger S, Gibson J, Hadlock L, Powell E., & Seidl E. Utilizing Talking Circles to Identify Wellness Barriers in Rural Native American Communities. Fourth International Conference on Health, Wellness and Society. Vancouver, Canada, Poster Presentation, March 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Pratt T., Powell E., & Meendering J.R. Wellness policy strength, comprehensiveness, implementation status and barriers in South Dakota Schools. The Fourth International Conference on Health Wellness and Society. Vancouver, Canada, Poster Presentation, March 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Huber E., Schuna J., Jensen B., and Meendering, J.R. Ability of a school-based nutrition intervention to affect physical activity: insight into best practices for transdisciplinary obesity interventions. International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. San Diego, CA, Poster Presentation, May 2014 & The Northland ACSM Spring Conference. St. Cloud, MN, Poster Presentation, April 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bren M., Loes M., Overby H., Roles K., Schwader A., & Meendering J.R. TOP Experiential Learning Experience: Assessing the Health Needs of the Burke School using the Good and Healthy SD: Community Health Needs Assessment Toolkit. South Dakota State University Health and Nutritional Sciences Conference. Brookings, SD, Poster Presentation, April 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Brown A., Eggert E., Merfeld C., Schwader A., & Meendering J.R. TOP Experiential Learning Experience: Assessing the needs of the Burke Community using the South Dakota Good and Healthy Community Toolkit. South Dakota State University Health and Nutritional Sciences Conference. Brookings, SD, Poster Presentation, April 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Overby H.J., Eggert E.E., Stluka S.R., & Meendering J.R. Utilizing PhotoVoice to Engage the School Community in School Wellness Efforts. Northland American College of Sports Medicine Spring Tutorial. St. Cloud, SD, Poster Presentation, (In Review).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Selland C., Meendering J.R., Vukovich M. Evaluation of the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) to determine Vo2 Peak in Children. Northland American College of Sports Medicine Spring Tutorial. St. Cloud, SD, Poster Presentation, (In Review).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Eggert E., Overby H., & Meendering J.R. Use of model wellness policies and additional resources do not increase the strength and comprehensiveness of written school wellness policies. Northland American College of Sports Medicine Spring Tutorial. St. Cloud, SD, Poster Presentation, (In Review).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Roles K, Bowser B. Differences in running mechanics between obese and non-obese children. Sanford/South Dakota State University Research Symposium, Brookings, SD, Poster Presentation, November 2014; Avera/South Dakota State University Research Symposium, Brookings, SD, Poster Presentation, September 2014; 7th World Congress of Biomechanics, Boston, MA, Poster Presentation, July 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sinley RC, Albrecht JA. Using the IMB model to explore the fruit and vegetable intake of Native American toddlers: A mixed methods approach. Minorities Health Initiative Winter Conference. Ashland, NE, Poster Presentation, February, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Srivastava D. Parental ethnotheories and early childhood healthy behaviors: a mixed methods study. Minority Health Disparities Initiative Winter Conference. Ashland, NE, Poster Presentation, February, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cornell D, Lyons A. Implementation of a modified school enrichment kit curriculum for fifth grade students. UNL Graduate Research Fair. Lincoln, NE, Poster Presentation, April, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kok C, Torquati J, Kroeker J. Preschool childrens knowledge about nature. 2014 CYFS Summit on Research in Early Childhood. Lincoln, NE, Poster Presentation, April,2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Nepper M, Rippe, M. School nutrition curriculums impact on second graders knowledge of healthy eating. UNL Graduate Research Fair. Lincoln, NE, Poster Presentation, April, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sasek M, Wolfe B, Hannon K. The impact of Team Nutrition curriculum on third grade students in Emerson Elementary School. UNK Research Fair. Kearney, NE, Poster Presentation, April, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sinley R, Babchuk WA. Forging community-based strategies for improving diet among Native American children: A transformative mixed methods study. Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting. Lincoln, NE, Poster Presentation, April, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Srivastava D, Torquati J. Parental ethnotheories and early childhood healthy behaviors: A mixed methods study. UNL Graduate Research Fair. Lincoln, NE, Poster Presentation, April, 2014; UNL Obesity Research Summit. Lincoln, NE, Poster Presentation, June, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Boeckner LS, Hageman P, Dizona P, Pullen CH. Women weigh-in for wellness: examination of eating and activity across four categories of weight status in rural women. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, Poster Presentation, May, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hall, E. Proposed phenomenology to explore teachers perspectives of nutrition education and Growing Healthy Kids. Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Research Initiative Summit. Lincoln, NE, Poster Presentation, September, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kok C, Dev D. Educating preschoolers about color, texture, and taste: Child care providers perceptions for engaging childrens senses. College of Education and Human Sciences Research Showcase. Lincoln, NE, Poster Presentation, October, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sinley RC, Albrecht JA. Fruit and vegetable-related perceptions of parents of American Indian Toddlers: A qualitative investigation. College of Education and Health Sciences Research Showcase. Lincoln, NE, Poster Presentation, October, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Srivastava D, Anderson-Knott M, Boeckner L, Takahashi S, Fischer J, Wallinga M. Effectiveness of a nutrition and physical activity program among middle school students. College of Education and Human Sciences Research Showcase. Lincoln, NE, Poster Presentation, October, 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sinley RC, Albrecht JA. Recommendations for nutrition programs from caregivers of American Indian toddlers: A qualitative evaluation. Society for Public Health Education 66th Annual Meeting. Portland, OR, Poster Presentation, April, 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Takahashi S, Anderson-Knott, M, Boeckner L, Fischer JA, Wallinga M, Hall J. Effects of BMI status on FITNESSGRAM score improvements in middle school students. Poster Session. National Strength and Conditioning Association National Conference & Exhibition. Orlando, FL, Poster Presentation, July, 2015. (In Review)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Meendering J.R., Boeckner L., Jensen B., Stluka S., Kattelmann K., Wey H., Droke E., Bowne M., Carr T., Fischer J.A., Wallinga M., DeGuzman M., Anderson-Knott M., Takahasi S., & Rida Z. Innovation and Collaboration: Creating a Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Certificate Program. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2014; 46 (4) Supplement, S195-S196.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Selland C., Huber E., Braastad K., Bowne M., Meendering J.R. Influence of parenting style on body mass index, physical activity and sedentary time. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2014; 11 (Supplement 1), S187.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Selland C., Meendering J.R., Vukovich M. Evaluation of the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) to determine Vo2 Peak in Children. Medicine Science Sports and Exercise. Status: Accepted for Publication.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Eggert E., Overby H., & Meendering J.R. Use of model wellness policies and additional resources do not increase the strength and comprehensiveness of written school wellness policies. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Status: Accepted for Publication.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Overby H.J., Dinkel D., Huberty J.L., Stluka S., & Meendering J.R. PhotoVoice: Engaging the School Community in School Wellness Efforts. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Status: Accepted for Publication.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Overby H.J., Eggert E.E., Stluka S.R., & Meendering J.R. Utilizing PhotoVoice to Engage the School Community in School Wellness Efforts. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Status: Under Review.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Loes M.J., Huber E.C., Bowne M., Stluka S., Wells K., Nelson T., Kattelmann K., & Meendering J.R. iGrow Readers: A Literature-Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Young Children. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Status: In Review.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jensen B., Meendering J., Bowne M., Stluka S. Providing Experiential Experiences in Community Based Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention. Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo 2015. Abstract/Poster. Status: Submitted.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Roles, K., Wanderscheid, M., Bowser, B. Increased vertical loading during running in obese children. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014; 46(5):S627.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hall E, Wallinga M, Fischer JA, Kohnke C, Carr T, Takahashi S, Koszewski W. A mixed methods study of the effectiveness of an after-school cooking club curriculum for middle school students. Journal of Nutriton Education and Behavior, 46 (4S): S108, 2014.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hall E, Albrecht JA, Chai W, Koszewski W. Development, validation, and pilot test of a Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)-based instrument for Growing Healthy Kids (GHK). Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 46 (4S):S154-155, 2014.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Wallinga M, Takahashi S, Fischer J, Carr T, Anderson-Knott M, De Guzman M, Koszewski W. Effectiveness of KidQuest, an in-classroom nutrition and physical activity program, on physical activity behaviors of middle school youth. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, 114(9): A93, 2014.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hageman PA, Hoover-Rathjen L, Pullen C, Hertzog M, Pozehl B, Dizona P, Boeckner L. Participant perspectives about a theory-based web-intervention for achieving weight loss in overweight and obese rural women. Physical Therapy Journal online, 94(5):1123.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Nepper J, Ludemann M, Chai W. Validation of Instruments to assess home food environment of pre-adolescents: A pilot study. The FASEB Journal. Status: Accepted, Awaiting Publication.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hall, E, Albrecht JA. Self-efficacy is associated with healthy eating behaviors. The FASEB Journal. Status: Accepted, Awaiting Publication
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Cleveland A, Painter K, Takahashi S, Fischer JA, Hall J, Boeckner L. KidQuest: A nutrition and physical activity program designed for preadolescent students. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Status: Submitted, Under Review
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sinley RC, Albrecht JA. Fruit and vegetable perceptions among caregivers of American Indian toddlers and community stakeholders: A qualitative study. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. January 2015. DOI 10.1007/s40615-014-0079-2.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Nepper MJ, Ludemann M, Chai W. Validation of instruments to assess home food environment of pre-adolescents: a pilot study. Journal of Nutritional Health & Food Science, 2(3):1-9, 2014.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Stluka S, Brandenburger S, Gibson J, Hadlock L, Powell E., & Seidl E. Utilizing Talking Circles to Identify Wellness Barriers in Rural Native American Communities. International Journal of Health, Wellness and Society. Status: In Print.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Niswanger E., Droke E, Stluka S & Chang KL. The Effects of Food Deserts on the Weight Status of South Dakota Children. South Dakota Medicine. Status: Accepted for Publication.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: SDSU TOP Website: http://www.sdstate.edu/hns/graduate-programs/top/index.cfm SDSU TOP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDSUTOPs UNL TOP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLTOPprogram?ref=hl UNL TOP Website: http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/prospective/programs/Cert_ChildhoodObesity
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Olson M., Stluka S., Meendering J.R., and Kattelmann K. Jumpin Jacks: Social Marketing Campaign Aimed to Increase Awareness of Healthful Behavior in Fourth Grade Students. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension. Status: Accepted for Publication.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Selland CA, Huber EC, Braastad K, Bowne M, Meendering JR. Influence of parenting style on body mass index, physical activity, and sedentary time. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2015. Status: In-review.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Huber E., Schuna J., Jensen B., and Meendering, J.R. Ability of a school-based nutrition intervention to affect physical activity: insight into best practices for transdisciplinary obesity interventions. American Journal of Health Education. Status: In Review.


Progress 03/15/13 to 03/14/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences of the TOP program includes SDSU and UNL graduate students enrolled in the TOP graduate certificate program. The target audience for the TOP experiential learning experiences and research experiences included in the curriculum include the TOP students, but also the populations they are working with, such as: SNAP-Education recipients, underserved ethnically diverse populations, 5th and 6th grade students living in rural and urban environments, school administrators, school wellness coordinators, and community wellness coalitions. Changes/Problems: There have been no changes to the goals and objectives of the project. The role of primary investigator at UNL was transitioned from Dr. Tim Carr to Dr. Linda Boeckner in January 2014. Dr. Carr assumed the position after Dr. Wanda Koszewski left UNL for another academic institution. Dr. Carr served in the PI role until Dr. Boeckner joined the faculty on the main UNL campus and took on the PI position.Dr. Boeckner has experience in both education, research, and Extension and will be an asset to the TOP graduate certificate program. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In the TOP lecture coursework, students have had the opportunity to hear presentations and discuss childhood obesity prevention with well-known speakers such as: Dayle Hayes, Brian Wansink, and Mark Fenton. Three TOP students and three TOP faculty attended the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Child and Adolescent Weight Management Certificate Training Program, Little Rock, AK, May 2013 or Denver, CO, November 2013. Two TOP faculty and two TOP students attended the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, August 2013. One TOP student attended the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, May 2013. One TOP student earned the Weight Management Specialty Certification from the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Three TOP students and one TOP faculty attended the South Dakota Wellness Planning Summit, Pierre, SD, June 6, 2013. Two TOP students and two TOP faculty attended the Experimental Biology Annual Meeting to present their research and to attend the Obesity Prevention Symposia, Boston, MA, April 20-24, 2013. Five TOP faculty attended the Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Summit, Lincoln, NE, April 13, 2013. Three TOP faculty attended the Minority Health Disparities Initiative Retreats, Lincoln, NE, October & May, 2013. One TOP faculty attended the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE), Houston, TX, Oct., 2013. One TOP faculty attended the Action for Healthy Kids Meeting, Lincoln, NE, March 2013. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The TOP graduate certificate program has received coverage in the media via media release on newswise: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/607801/?sc=sphp. The newswise release was picked up in Dietitian's Today online news, October 17, 2013. South Dakota State University featured research completed by the TOP students in the “Inside Research” publication: http://www.sdstate.edu/research/upload/SDSU-Research-Report-Winter-2014.pdf. The newswise release was also published in the Brookings, SD newspaper on January 8, 2014. The A KidQuest article was published in the Fremont, NE newspaper on January 22, 2014: http://m.fremonttribune.com/news/local/research-looks-to-deliver-nutrition-education-more-effectively/article_d33de6b7-836e-5fa1-8748-eebbc5e273ad.html. The KidQuest story was also covered on the NBC affiliate WOWT, Omaha, NE: http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/Tackling-Childhood-Obesity-241550811.html. South Dakota State University has a TOP Facebook page that highlights current events focused on childhood obesity, showcases student success stories, and serves as a network for all TOP students. The Facebook page can be found by searching Facebook for "South Dakota State University Transdiciplinary Obesity Prevention Program". What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The transdisciplinary team of TOP co-investigators plans to continue the efforts we have documented in the present report and expand upon our efforts with a focus on program sustainability. We will continue to offer our program face to face for onsite students, but make modifications to the curriculum to transition the program to be feasible online for potential offering through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance to allow for students to be involved in educational coursework, experiential learning experiences, and research related to childhood obesity prevention.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? South Dakota State University and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln completed the second academic year (Fall 2012–Spring 2013) and are currently in the third academic year (Fall 2013–Spring 2014) of the graduate certificate program in Childhood Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention (TOP). The certificate program includes two 700 level distance learning courses and a laboratory course developed specifically for the TOP program. The courses focus on introducing students to the transdisciplinary nature of childhood obesity, research methods used in the study of childhood obesity prevention, and grant writing with collaborative, transdisciplinary research teams. TOP students are required to participate in Experiential Learning Experiences (ELE) in partnership with Cooperative Extension as part of the TOP curriculum. TOP students participated in a variety of ELEs, including: training teen students to teach the KidQuest nutrition and physical activity program, writing a white paper on creating successful community wellness coalitions, participating in a nutrition education backpack program for underserved youth, developing healthy and cost effective quantity food menus for a community meal program, assisting rural community wellness coalitions in conducting a health needs assessment and prioritizing action items, evaluating, integrating, and delivering the pilot of Team Nutrition curriculum into Nebraska Nutrition Education Program School Enrichment Kits; educating and assessing 5th and 6th grade students on proper nutrition and physical activity in the classroom; identify, develop, and submit appropriate community grant proposals; and educating elementary school students and their families on proper nutrition, physical activity, and cooking skills through the use of KidQuest and after school cooking clubs. Twenty five students are currently enrolled with the intention of completing the TOP graduate certificate program from SDSU (n=15) and UNL (n=10). Nine students are en-route to complete the certificate upon completion of the 2013-2014 academic year (SDSU=6; UNL=3) and 14 students have earned their graduate certificate in TOP (SDSU=8; UNL=6) since the program start in 2011. Ten graduate research assistantships (SDSU=2 PhD, 4 MS; UNL=2 PhD, 2 MS) are currently provided for TOP students. TOP students participated in a variety of transdisciplinary research projects evaluating: the use of college mascots to change nutrition and physical activity behaviors, cultural barriers to physical activity in Native American populations, the development and feasibility of a culturally appropriate nutrition and physical activity intervention program for Native American populations, the biomechanics of running in overweight/obese children, linkage of BMI with food desserts, wellness policy, body image, physical fitness assessments in elementary schools, physical activity and nutrition knowledge of childcare providers, the efficacy of the KidQuest program in changing nutrition and physical activity behaviors when implemented in the classroom and afterschool settings, and process evaluation of the implementation KidQuest in afterschool settings. Since the experiential experiences are varied depending on what is available and feasible, our team cannot guarantee work with undergraduate tribal colleges. However, efforts are made to ensure that TOP students are engaged in experiential experiences that have a component reaching underserved and or high risk population groups. TOP graduates have successfully obtained careers in the field of obesity prevention such as positions with the University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension (Lincoln, NE), the Nebraska Department of Education (Lincoln, NE), the Friendship Home (Lincoln, NE), South Dakota State University Extension (Sioux Falls, SD), Presentation College (Aberdeen, SD), South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD), Regions Hospital (St. Paul, MN), Sanford Health (Sioux Falls, SD), and Madonna ProActive (Lincoln, NE). TOP faculty have taken multiple steps to work towards the sustainability of the TOP graduate certificate program, such as: 1) initiating curriculum changes to transition TOP lecture courses to hybrid offerings (part face to face and part online) for the 2014-2015 cohort to pilot the ability to offer the courses strictly online in subsequent offerings, 2) planning curriculum changes to allow TOP students to select their experiential learning experience (ELE) and complete their instruction for their experiences online, 3) beginning discussions with the executive directors of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) to discuss their interest and the feasibility of offering the TOP graduate certificate online through the 20 Universities involved in GPIDEA starting with the 2015-2016 cohort.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Huber E, VanDyke N, Tucker J, Jensen B, Meendering JR. Comparison of physical activity between children living within vs. outside city limits in rural environments. MSSE, 45(5S):S406, 2013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: McCann A, Kemmer TM, Jensen B, Wey H. Body image perception among pre-adolescent children participating in a nutrition and physical activity intervention program. FASEB, 27: 1060.12, 2013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Kemmer TM, Wey H, McCann A, Jensen B. Accuracy of weight perception following KidQuest intervention in rural South Dakota elementary students. FASEB, 27: 1060.19, 2013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lauseng M, Kemmer TM. Zinc deficiency and growth status in children aged 6-60 months in rural Honduras. FASEB, 27: 845.13, 2013
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Meendering JR, Koszewski W, Jensen B, Stluka S, Kattelmann K, Kemmer T, Wey H, Droke L, Carr T, Fischer JA, De Guzman M, Anderson-Knott M, Takahashi S, & Bowne M. Innovation and Collaboration: Creating a Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Certificate Program. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 45(4), S92-S93, 2013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Olesen O, Kattelmann K, Stluka S. Jumpin Jacks: Social marketing campaign aimed to increase awareness of healthful behavior in fourth grade students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 45(4), S20, 2013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wallinga MM, Takahashi S, Kohnke CS, Koszewski WM, Hingst J, Socha T. Assessment of Nutrition Knowledge and Self-Efficacy of NCAA Athletes. JAND, 113(9S): A87, 2013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wehbe JA, Albrecht M, Krehbiel S, Takahashi S, Fischer JA, Wallinga M, Koszewski WM. A Mixed Methods Approach to Evaluate KidQuest, a Traditional Classroom Obesity Prevention Intervention, in an Afterschool Program: A Pilot Study. JAND, 113(9S): A75, 2013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Stluka S, Hadlock L, Brandenburger S, Gibson SJ, Kranz E, Seidl E. Utilizing Talking Circles to Identify Wellness Barriers in Rural Native American Communities. The International Journal or Health, Wellness & Society, 4, 2014
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Pratt TJ, Powell E, Nelson T, Kattelmann K, Meendering JR. The Impact of School District Size on Wellness Policy Strength, Comprehensiveness, Implementation Status and Barriers in South Dakota Schools. The International Journal or Health, Wellness & Society, 4, 2014.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Huber EC, Schuna JM, Jensen B, Meendering JR. Ability of a school-based nutrition intervention to affect physical activity: an insight into best practices for transdisciplinary obesity interventions. The International Journal for Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity. (Accepted for Publication)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Roles, K., Wanderscheid, M., Bowser, B. Increased vertical loading during running in obese children. MSSE, (Accepted for Publication).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Braastad K. & Trenhaile J. An Exploratory Study on Bullying, Obesity, and Social Support in Middle School Aged Children. Journal of Counseling and Development, (Accepted for Publication)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Olesen O., Kattelmann K., Stluka S. Jumpin Jacks: Social marketing campaign aimed to increase awareness of healthful behavior in fourth grade students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, (In Review).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Huber E.C., Schuna J.M., Jensen B. Meendering J.R. Ability of a school-based nutrition intervention to affect physical activity: an insight into best practices for transdisciplinary obesity interventions. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, (In Review).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Selland, C.A., Huber, E.C., Braastad, K., Bowne, M., Meendering, J.R. Influence of parenting style on body mass index, physical activity, and sedentary time. Global Summit on the Physical Activity of Children. Oral Presentation, May 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Seidl E. Research Highlights from the SD Food Desert & BMI. SDSU Health and Nutrition Conference, March 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Stuka S. & Fischer JA. Working with Jr. High and High School Audiences (Best practice examples from the KidQuest Program). Association of SNAP-Ed Nutrition Networks and Other Implementing Agencies Annual Conference. Oral Presentation, Feb. 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jensen B. & Kriehbiel M. Training, Supporting, and Empowering Young Adults and Teens for Leadership Roles in Obesity Prevention. Priester National Health Conference. Oral Presentation, April 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Olesen M. Research Highlights from JumpinJacks. SDSU Health and Nutrition Conference, March 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Braastad K, Hublou E, McCann A, Pratt T, Jensen B. TOP Experiential Learning Experience: KidQuest. SDSU Health & Nutrition Sciences Annual Conference, College of Education and Human Sciences Poster Session, 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Emily P. Wellness Policy Status within the State of South Dakota. South Dakota Wellness Policy Summit, June 6, 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Kabala C, Koens A, Lauseng M, Stluka S. TOP Experiential Learning Experience: Bountiful Backpacks Program. SDSU Health & Nutrition Sciences Annual Conference, College of Education and Human Sciences Poster Session, 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Almusaylim KA, Bordeaux ND, Litz AM, McCormack LA, Stluka S. TOP Experiential Learning Experience: Community Wellness Coalitions. SDSU Health & Nutrition Sciences Annual Conference, College of Education and Human Sciences Poster Session, 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Olesen M, Kattelmann K, Stluka S. Jumpin Jacks: Social Marketing Campaign Aimed to Increase Awareness of Healthful Behavior in 4th Grade Students. SDSU Health & Nutrition Sciences Annual Conference March 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Seidl E, Droke E, Stluka S, and Chang K-L. The Effects of Food Deserts on the Weight Status of South Dakota Children. SDSU Health & Nutrition Sciences Annual Poster Conference March 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Powell E, Pratt T, Meendering JR. School Wellness Policy Strength, Comprehensiveness, and Implementation Status in South Dakota Schools. SDSU Health & Nutrition Sciences Annual Poster Conference March 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Svrivastava, D. Anderson-Knott, M. Process evaluation of a nutrition education curriculum. University of Nebraska Research Fair, Poster Presentation, April 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hunt, M, Koszewski W, & Takashi, S. Developing and evaluating KidQuest club in afterschool programming: Fitness assessments using accelerometers. University of Nebraska Research Fair, Poster Presentation, April 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Walter, O., Fischer, J. Development and testing of an observation tool for process evaluation. University of Nebraska Research Fair, Poster Presentation, April 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wehbe, Albrecht, M., Krehbiel, M, Takashi, S. A mixed methods approach to evaluate KidQuest, a traditional classroom obesity prevention intervention, in an afterschool program: a pilot study. University of Nebraska Research Fair, Poster Presentation, April 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Strivastava, Deepa. Torquati, Julia. Parental Ethnotheories and Early Childhood Healthy Behaviors: A Mixed Methods Study. MHDI Retreat, Poster Presentation, March, 2014.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: SDSU Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Website: http://www.sdstate.edu/hns/graduate-programs/top/index.cfm


Progress 03/15/12 to 03/14/13

Outputs
OUTPUTS: South Dakota State University (SDSU) and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL) completed the first academic year (Fall 2011-Spring 2012) and have started the second academic year (Fall 2012-Spring 2013) of the graduate certificate program in Childhood Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention (TOP). The certificate program includes two 700 level distance learning courses and a laboratory course developed specifically for the TOP program. The courses focus on introducing students to the transdisciplinary nature of childhood obesity, research methods used in the study of childhood obesity prevention, and grant writing with collaborative, transdisciplinary research teams. The graduate level TOP courses underwent significant modifications based on student feedback from the first academic year and a continuous system of process evaluation including course surveys and focus groups has been put in place. In addition to coursework, TOP students are required to participate in Experiential Learning Experiences (ELE) in partnership with Cooperative Extension and conduct a transdisciplinary thesis project on childhood obesity prevention. Collaboration across disciplines and universities is encouraged. Fifty-one graduate students have participated in at least one of the TOP courses since the program start date. Twenty-six students are currently enrolled with the intention of completing the TOP graduate certificate program (year 1=11; year 2=15) from SDSU (n=18) and UNL (n=8). Twelve students are en route to complete the certificate upon completion of the 2012-2013 academic year (SDSU=8; UNL=4) and three students have earned their graduate certificate in TOP (SDSU=0; UNL=3). TOP graduates have successfully obtained careers in the field of obesity prevention such as positions with the University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, the Nebraska Department of Education, and the Friendship Home. Eleven graduate research assistantships (SDSU=1 PhD, 6 MS; UNL=2 PhD, 2 MS) are currently provided for TOP students. Advertising and recruitment for the TOP program is ongoing directly via website (http://www.sdstate.edu/hns/graduate-programs/top/index.cfm, http://cehs.unl.edu/nhs/graduate/TOP%20brochureUNL.pdf) and print, and indirectly via ELE projects and dissemination at local, state and regional conferences. Faculty and students affiliated with the TOP program presented nineteen poster presentations at one or more local, regional, and national meetings representing transdisciplinary fields (Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior n=5, Northland American College of Sports Medicine n=4, SDSU College of Education and Human Sciences n=4, UNL Graduate Research Fair n=3, UNL College of Education and Human Sciences Research Fair n=2, UNL Minority Health Disparities Workshop n=1), one slide presentation (Experimental Biology), one breakout session on working with junior high audiences highlighting one of TOP's main research and ELE programs called KidQuest (Association of SNAP-Ed Nutrition Networks and Other Implementing Agencies), and two invited research presentations (SDSU Health and Nutrition Conference and the Board on Human Sciences). PARTICIPANTS: Project directors during the majority of the reporting period include Jessica R. Meendering at SDSU and Wanda Koszewski at UNL. The project directors are responsible for managing the certificate program at their respective Universities, holding regular co-investigator meetings to initiate collaboration and discuss group projects, overseeing major research efforts in support of the program, mentoring graduate students, teaching the TOP courses, and compiling and submitting reports. The co-investigators from SDSU include: Becky Jensen, Suzanne Stluka, Teresa Kemmer, Kendra Kattelmann, Elizabeth Droke, and Howard Wey. The co-investigators from UNL include: Jean Ann Fischer, Timothy Carr, Maria DeGuzman, Shinya Takahashi, and Mindy Anderson-Knott. The co-investigators at both institutions are integral to the functionality of a transdisciplinary team. The group includes faculty and Cooperative Extension specialists with expertise in nutrition, exercise science, family and consumer sciences, statistics, evaluation and assessment. Starting in year 3, a faculty specializing in early childhood education will join the transdisciplinary team. The co-investigators all have their own specific assigned roles, which include responsibilities such as: teaching TOP courses and laboratories, mentoring students on their research projects, involvement in transdisciplinary team research projects, coordinating and mentoring students through experiential learning experiences, evaluation, assessment, and statistical analysis of research projects. Additional grant partners include: SDSU and UNL Cooperative Extension, SD and NE Department of Education and Department of Health, local school systems, local child care centers, and community learning centers. SDSU and UNL have developed an application process for TOP students to apply for professional development funding and have funded x student research projects. The TOP program has funded students and faculty to attend professional development opportunities such as national meetings (Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior, American College of Sports Medicine, Experimental Biology, GENYOUth) and state meetings (UNL Nutrition and Food Update). TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences of the TOP program includes SDSU and UNL graduate students enrolled in the TOP graduate certificate program. The target audience for the TOP experiential learning experiences and research experiences included in the curriculum include the TOP students, but also the populations they are working with, such as: SNAP-Education recipients, underserved ethnically diverse populations, 5th and 6th grade students living in rural and urban environments, school administrators, and school wellness coordinators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: There have been no changes to the goals and objectives of the project. The role of primary investigator was transitioned from the original primary investigator at SDSU (Teresa Kemmer, PhD, RD) to a co-investigator on the project (Jessica Meendering, PhD, ATC, HFS) in August 2012, as the original primary investigator from SDSU will be leaving the academic institution in May 2013. Additionally, the role of primary investigator at UNL is being transitioned from the original primary investigator (Wanda Koszewski, PhD, RD) to a co-investigator on the project (Timothy Carr, PhD). This transition is currently underway, as the original PI at UNL has left the academic institution.

Impacts
A program evaluation specialist conducted a focus group on the first year TOP students and reported three primary factors students found enjoyable about their involvement in the program: 1) interaction between diverse disciplines, 2) learning from one another via the classroom, transdisciplinary research projects, and experiential learning experiences, and 3) increased creativity in their ideas related to childhood obesity prevention. The participants listed organization of program logistics and allotment of more time for classroom discussion as factors they believed could use improvement. TOP students said the program prepared them for their future careers in childhood obesity by exposing them to different viewpoints and helping them gain a "critical awareness" of the transdisciplinary nature of childhood obesity, but suggested more hands on programming and research experience. Based on these data significant changes were made to strengthen the TOP program. TOP students participated in a variety of ELEs, including: training teen students to teach the KidQuest nutrition and physical activity program, writing a white paper on creating successful community wellness coalitions, participating in a nutrition education backpack program for underserved youth, developing healthy and cost effective quantity food menus for a community meal program, providing nutrition and physical activity goal setting guidance to underserved Hispanic families, implementing the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care at multiple facilities, and educating elementary school students and their families on proper nutrition, physical activity, and cooking skills through the use of KidQuest and afterschool cooking clubs. Students also participated in a variety of transdisciplinary research projects evaluating: the use of college mascots to change nutrition and physical activity behaviors, cultural barriers to physical activity in Native American populations, developing a culturally appropriate nutrition and physical activity intervention program for Native American populations, linkage of BMI with food desserts, wellness policy, body image, physical fitness assessments in elementary schools, physical activity and nutrition knowledge of childcare providers, the efficacy of the KidQuest program in changing nutrition and physical activity behaviors when implemented in the classroom and afterschool settings, and process evaluation of the implementation KidQuest in afterschool settings. Multiple student research projects and ELEs were completed in conjunction with the KidQuest intervention. The KidQuest, 5th and 6th grade nutrition and physical activity program developed by SDSU Extension was implemented in multiple school systems and afterschool programs across SD and NE, reaching an approximated 500 youth. An online training program is being developed for 4-H youth program advisors, school staff and teen teachers in order to expand the outreach of the KidQuest program via SDSU Extension to underserved populations in rural environments through a cost effective and sustainable mechanism.

Publications

  • Sehi, N, Koszewski W, Hinrichs K, Colgrove C. 5-4-3-2-1 GO! Sending a Consistent Statewide Nutrition and Health Education Message to Youth. JNEB, 44(4S):S80, 2012.
  • McCann A, Kemmer TM, Jensen B, Wey H. (2012) Parents Awareness of Their Fifth-graders Weight Status in Rural South Dakota. Topics of Clinical Nutrition, 24(4): 348-355, Doi: 10.1097/TIN.0b013e31826f8ff8.
  • Kemmer T, Koszewski W, Meendering, JR, Jensen B, Fischer JA. Paradigm Shift in Graduate Education: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Childhood Obesity Prevention. FASEB Journal, 26:240.7, 2012.
  • Kemmer TM, Koszewski W, Jensen B, Stluka S, Meendering J, Carr T, Kattelmann K, de Guzman M, Takahashi S, Wey H, Anderson-Knott M, Fischer JA, Droke E. Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention (TOP) Graduate Education Certificate Program: Innovative and Multi-institutional. JNEB, 44(4S):S93, 2012.
  • Jensen B, Kemmer T. Teens Benefit as the Teachers for a School-based Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Targeting Fifth-Graders. JNEB, 44(4S):S53, 2012
  • McCann A,Kemmer TM, Jensen B, Wey H. Parent's Awareness of Their Fifth Graders Weight Status in Rural South Dakota. JNEB, 44:S44(4S), 2012.
  • Olesen M, Kattelmann K. Development of a Social Marketing Tool through Transdisciplinary Service Learning. JNEB, 44(4S):S79, 2012.
  • Koszewski WM, Hall J, Sehi N, Wolfe S, Hall E, Taylor K. Growing Healthy Kids through Healthy Communities. JNEB, 44(4S):UP37, 2012.


Progress 03/15/11 to 03/14/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: SDSU and UNL staff collaborated to design the certificate programs for their respective universities. The teams submitted requests to establish a new graduate certificate program (Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Certificate Program (TOP)) and for two new supporting courses and one laboratory course. Faculty at both universities assisted with establishing and teaching courses, mentoring students, promoting the program and establishing new research initiatives. 10 students were admitted into the TOP program at SDSU and 4 of those were supported through TOP assistantships (1 PhD and 3 MS). At UNL there were 4 students on TOPS assistantships (2 PhDs and 2 MS). News releases publicized the grant award. TOP promotional flyers and new releases were produced and distributed at both universities and through other mechanisms to publicize and recruit for the new program. A SDSU web page has been designed in support of the program. The KidQuest 5th and 6th grade nutrition and physical activity program was implemented through Extension in Nebraska and 8 new schools were enrolled in the research and educational program in SD. Research activities in SD included: determining KidQuest efficacy, IGrow Readers efficacy, disparity in rural Honduras household, Honduras food insecurity, SD food deserts, and SDSU Jack Rabbit mascot marketing impact on school children. UNL research activities include: depression, diet and C-reactive protein in overweight and obese youth is there a correlation, family dynamics and obesity, impact of an afterschool cooking club and KidQuest on knowledge and behavior of middle school limited income youth and parents, and school food personnel perceptions to changing the school food environment to prevent childhood obesity. Two experiential learning activities at SDSU included: 1) Developing the KidQuest (Food, Fitness and Fun) Training Program and 2) Incorporating Native American Childhood Obesity Prevention Focus Group Information into a Tribal College Curriculum. UNL experiential learning projects included: 1) implementation of school wellness policy what do schools need to succeed, 2) school food service personnel and changing the food environment, and 3) looking at nutrition and physical activity knowledge and behavior from two different schools based on socioeconomic status. Two face-to-face collaboration meetings between SDSU and UNL faculty were coordinated. The meetings incorporated student, program and course feedback. PARTICIPANTS: Project Directors of the grant are Teresa M Kemmer, SDSU, and Wanda Koszewski, UNL. They are managing the program, obtained program approvals, overseeing human subject's compliance, overseeing major research efforts in support of the program, mentoring graduate students and faculty, and are the primary faculty teaching the TOP courses. They are providing oversight of the project coordinators on budget management, administrative requirements, ordering supplies, program coordination and evaluation, and compilation and submission of reports. Additional primary T.O.P. program support personnel from SDSU include: Jessica Meendering (research and teaching support and student mentor), Becky Jensen (project coordinator, assists with research, student mentor, teaching support, and experiential project coordinator), Suzanne Stluka (assists with research, teaching support, student mentor, and experiential project coordinator), Kendra Kattelmann (teaching support, assists with research and student mentor), and Howard Wey (student mentor, teaching support and statistical support) and from UNL: Jean Ann Fischer (project coordinator, teaching support), Maria DeGuzman (teaching support and assists with research), Timothy Carr (teaching and research support), Shinya Takahashi (teaching and research support), and Mindy Knott Anderson (teaching and research support). Partner organizations include SDSU and UNL Extension; Department of Education (schools participating in KidQuest implementation); Joint Task Force Bravo, Soto Cano Air Force Base, Honduras; Honduran Ministry of Health; Honduras Mission LeMars, LeMars, IA. Training or professional development: Trained SDSU graduate and undergraduate students, Nebraska Extension personnel, Ministry of Health Workers, Honduras Mission LeMars team members, Joint Task Force Bravo military medical assistants, KidQuest teen training, KidQuest classroom training, Teach a Kids Foundation and Dr Karla Lester, Department of Education Nutrition Services, Nebraska Public Health and Lincoln/Lancaster County County Health Department. Professional continuing education units were available to the Health and Nutrition Conference participants for Dr. Kemmer's Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Education session. TARGET AUDIENCES: Program target audience includes the SDSU and UNL graduate students enrolled in the TOP graduate certificate program and the courses developed in support of the program. The target audiences for the TOP experiential learning opportunities are the TOP students, the Native Americans participating in the focus groups, and the end users of the KidQuest video training project (Extension personnel, teen teachers, 5th and 6th grade teachers, afterschool program instructors, etc). Target audiences for the KidQuest education and research project include 5th and 6th grade students in rural SD and NE schools. The Honduras disparity project target audience includes children ages 6 to 60 months living in rural Honduras and their primary caregivers. Program target audiences through graduate student research are low income youth in afterschool programs and their parents, school food service personnel, and school wellness cooridinators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
TOP Graduate certificate programs have been approved at SDSU and UNL. 10 students at SDSU and 6 at UNL are in the process of completing their TOP course requirements and have initiated their transdisciplinary research projects. The team has developed an internal funding mechanism, policy/procedures for TOP student research projects, and internal funding request forms for professional development/conference attendance. SDSU developed a TOP website with access to the TOP certificate application procedures. Two new courses and one laboratory course have been designed and implemented in support of the TOP program. Two SDSU and three UNL experiential learning opportunities were developed incorporating cooperative extension programs, field experiences, logic models and abstract/poster presentations. Research progress: KidQuest: Six 5th and 6th grade children participating in KidQuest (Food, Fitness and Fun) have been provided six nutrition and physical activity lessons and have completed initial, 5 month and annual follow-up nutrition and physical activity assessments. Six new schools have completed their initial assessment and six lessons. Data collection included demographics, parental weight perception of their child, eating and physical activity patterns, sleep patterns, weight perception, anthropometrics, biochemical analysis, blood pressure, bioelectrical impedance and accelerometers. IPads are being used for child survey data collection. KidQuest data was presented at the poster session by graduate and undergraduate students at the 2012 SDSU Health and Nutrition Seminar. One manuscript submitted by a graduate student on parental perception of child's weight status using KidQuest data is under review. KidQuest training as been provided to Extension personnel in NE in an effort to expand and evaluate the program in additional audiences. Honduras 2012: 10 students participated in data collection to determine health disparities within families living in the rural Montana de la Flor region. The team is working on continuous quality improvement by incorporating faculty and student feedback. Two face-to-face meetings have been completed between SDSU and UNL faculty. Dr. Teresa Kemmer presented the TOP program at the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center (November 2011), SDSU Health and Nutrition Conference (March 2012), and Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA (March 2012) and Dr. Wanda Koszewski presented the TOP program to the Board on Human Sciences, Washington, DC (March 2012). Two TOP students will be presenting at the 2012 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior Conference. One student is being awarded one of five student abstract awards. Five graduate student posters were presented at the 2012 SDSU Health and Nutrition Conference and the Health and College of Education and Human Sciences Poster sessions. Two SDSU TOP graduate student posters won awards at the Northland American College of Sports Medicine Spring Meeting, March 2012. Three graduate student posters were presented at the 2012 UNL Graduate Research Fair Poster Session.

Publications

  • McCann A, Kemmer TM, Jensen B, Wey H.(2012).Parents Awareness of Their Fifth-graders Weight Status in Rural South Dakota (pending).