Combating Childhood Obesity through a Young Adult-Led S.O.C.C.E.R. Program in Northeast Tennessee

Abstract

In January 2012, a Youth Service America United Health Heroes-funded service-learning program focused on instilling healthy behaviors among children in Johnson City, Tennessee. The program, S.O.C.C.E.R. (Stopping Childhood Obesity in Children through Creative Education and Reinforcement), was implemented by various East Tennessee State University student-affiliated groups including Athletics, College of Public Health, and Allied Health Sciences/ Pre-medicine. Staff from the Boys andGirls Club and the university helped to guide student volunteers in the implementation of the program. Participation in programactivities such as playing soccer increased children’s knowledge of healthy lifestyle habits and provided an opportunity for the young adult-volunteers to hone their leadership skills. Ongoing federally funded research around the efficacy of peer-to-peer related intervention is currently underway.