The Plate Method Is An Effective Education Tool For Overweight Adolescents

The number of overweight adolescents in the United States continues to increase and effective methods of treatment intervention need to be established. The objective of this study was to determine if the Plate Method of nutrition education is an effect approach to teach overweight 10‐14 year‐old adolescents (BMI > 95 th percentile) in West Virginia to choose healthier foods. Twenty‐four adolescents were recruited through schools, physician's offices, and community programs to attend a two‐week residential lifestyle‐modification camp with three follow‐up weekends over the next 12 months. Prior to attending the initial camp session, subjects were asked to complete a three‐day diet record. Three‐months later subjects were asked to complete a three‐day diet record before coming to the first follow‐up weekend. While attending the camp session, subjects participated in four, 50 minute nutrition education lessons focusing on the Plate Method and 'Always' food choices vs. 'Sometimes' or 'Sparing' food choices. Twenty‐three subjects participated in the two‐week camp session and 19 subjects attended the first follow‐up session. Diet records prior to camp indicated that on average subjects were not meeting recommendations for servings of fruits, vegetables, milk, or whole grains, but were exceeding recommendations for soda/sweetened drinks and high fat/sugar foods. Diet records at follow‐up indicate that on average subjects have increased servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while servings of soda/sweetened drinks and high fat/sugar foods have decreased. Using the Plate Method as a nutrition education tool is an effective way to help overweight adolescents make healthier food choices at meal‐time(s).