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Focus Group #1:
Agnes Smith Elementary
School
Huntington
Beach, CA (Orange
County, CA)
May 7-11, 2007
Program Coordinator:
Mary Seiersen , R.D.
Chair, Smith Nutrition
Task Force
Setting:
750 students, grades K-5
participated. Smith PTA
provided and distributed
fresh fruit at each
recess throughout the
week. Each student was
given a set of Balance
Bands to wear for the
week. Each teacher was
given 15 minutes lesson
plans to incorporate
into each days
curriculum. Pre and post
tests were conducted to
evaluate effectiveness
of Balance Bands as a
‘Strategic Tool to
promote the 5 A Day
concept. (PTA purchased
Balance Bands and fruit
for the program)
Results:
755 kids completed the
program, and pre/post
test.
Average number of fruit
and vegetable servings
per day:
PRE-TEST: 1.01
POST-TEST Average: 3.70
This was a 266% increase
in
servings per day due to
the Balance Bands
Program.
Teachers reported 98.5%
favorable response to
the Balance Bands
Program. Comments
included “The kids LOVED
the bands, the lessons
plans were fun and easy
to incorporate!” Carole
Mullins, 1st. grade
teacher.
Jamba Juice provided 100
‘Jamba Cards’ with $5 on
each card. 4 classrooms
(a drawing) won JAMBA
CARDS.
Most Dramatic Result:
First Grader Stone Sharp
said “Thank you for the
Balance Bands. I’ve been
using them all
week. They made me
healthy, and they made
my brain work”. 5th
grader Marisa Rapp wrote
“I felt stronger all
week. I was surprised
how much 5 fruits and
vegetables can affect
the way you feel”.
Focus Group #2:
Demille Elementary
School
Westminster,
CA (Orange County, CA)
June 3-8, 2006
Program Coordinator:
Pam Williams, MPH, R.D.
CNN Nutrition Specialist
Huntington Beach Union
High School District
Setting:
103 6th grade students
in Title I public school
(3 classrooms). Each
student was given a set
of Balance Bands for one
week. Students taped the
goal sheet to their
desks, to track their
progress and share
comments & feedback.
Teachers were given 5
lesson plans for 10-15
minutes segments on
teaching the ‘5 A Day’
concept. Friday
afternoon, teachers
conducted a “Rap &
Relate” session, where
they solicited feedback
and suggestions from
students.
Results:
103 students
participated and
completed the pre and
post tests to determine
consumption levels.
Average number of fruit
and vegetable servings
per day:
PRE-TEST: 1.1
POST-TEST Average: 4.3
servings.
This was a 280%%
increase in
servings per day due to
the Balance Bands
Program.
Teachers reported 97.9%
favorable response to
the Balance Bands
Program. Comments
included
“Kids enjoyed the
program. I noticed the
ALL brought fruits &
veggies in their lunches
instead of JUNK FOOD!”
Each
student received a large
Jamba Juice Mug, as a
prize for participating.
Most
Dramatic Result:
6th grader Allison Ngo
reported “I loved this
program! My family got
involved, too. We all
went to the store
together, and tried some
new fruits and
vegetables. That made it
really fun!”.
Focus Group #3:
Dr. Phil Texas Weight
Loss Challenge
Irving, Texas (Dr.
Phil’s hometown)
March 15, 2004 – June 1,
2004
Program Coordinator:
Carole Lawrence, M.S.,
Community Health
Educator
Setting:
100 people initially
signed up to participate
in the 10 week program.
Each participant
completed a 5 page
questionnaire re:
nutrition and lifestyle
habits. Participants
were asked to meet
weekly in small groups,
for weigh-in and
discussion. Each
participant was given an
‘advanced’ set of
Balance Bands, as well
as 10 goal sheets and
the Balance Bands
website, for additional
suggestions and tips.
Results:
67 participants
completed the program.
Average weight loss was
14.5 lbs.
133% increase in fruit
and vegetable
consumption.
An average
of 1.5 servings per day
to an average of 3.5, servings per day
due to the Balance Bands
Program.
Over 700 pounds lost
collectively
Most
Dramatic Result:
Carole Lawrence, the
program coordinator lost
over 30 lbs. throughout
the process. She
dramatically increased
her intake of fruits &
vegetables, using
Balance Bands as a
‘visual cue’ to remind
her!
Focus Group #4:
The Learning Tree
A Private Elementary
School (Palm Desert,
CA)
March 1-31, 2005
Program Coordinator:
JJ Virgin, CNS, CHFI.
Nutritional Consultant,
The Dr. Phil Show
Setting:
150 elementary kids,
ages 5-12, in a private
elementary school. This
was a month long program
called “Fit Kids Month”.
(Protocol is currently
being finalized for
distribution by JJ
Virgin). Each child was
given a Basic Set of 5
Balance Bands. There
were weekly
presentations and
discussions on nutrition
and exercise. The
onsite coordinator, also
the school principal,
collected testimonials
and took photographs, at
the conclusion of Fit
Kids Month.
Results:
Final results are still
being compiled by the
onsite coordinator.
Overall, the program was
extremely well received,
both by parents and
kids. The parents were
thrilled with how easy
it was to increase their
kids consumption of
fruits & vegetables,
using Balance Bands as a
tool. “It was really
fun, a game, I could not
STOP my son from eating
fruits & vegetables.
Amazing!! All I had to
do was make sure I had
plenty of fruits and
vegetables at home!”. This was typical
feedback we received
from the parents.
Most
Dramatic Result:
Lupe Pinson, mother of 8
year old Angela Pinson,
reported “Angela used
the Balance Bands and
went from a size 16 to a
12. She lost 15 pounds!
Now she signed up for
track and baseball
programs after school,
to help her reach her
overall goal!”.
(Full testimonial is on
file, and available upon
request.)
Focus Group #5:
Nutrition class of 15
low-income Hispanic
Women, co-sponsored by
Head Start & Orange
Coast College
Orange County, CA
April
16-29, 2005
Program Coordinator:
T.C.
Proctor, R.D.
Orange
Coast College Professor
Setting:
Class
was composed of 15
low-income Hispanic
women, taking their
first college level
course. Their final
project assignment was
to have a child use
Balance Bands (for at
least 2 days), and then,
to use Balance Bands
themselves (for at least
2 days). Their final
presentation included
photographs and a
summary of results (i.e.
increase in consumption
of fruit & vegetables),
as well as other
observations.
Results:
All 15
written reports were
submitted, and are on
file with The Balance
Bands organization.
There
was a 100% increase in
fruit and vegetable
consumption for all of
the participants
The
class agreed that
Balance Bands were
effective for children
as young as 3 years old.
All 15
participants were
mothers, and extremely
enthusiastic about the
positive effect Balance
Bands had on consumption
of fruits & vegetables
for themselves and their
entire families
Most
Dramatic Result:
Loretta
Bui and her 4 year old
son, Justin. “When
Justin wore the Balance
Bands, he always
reminded me to include
fruits and/or vegetables
in his meal;
and I noticed that he
ate more fruits and
vegetables without
encouragement;
and he
was willing to try new
vegetables.
The Balance Bands are an
effective method that
helps remind me and my
son to eat more fruits
and vegetables each
day.”
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