A Theater-Based Obesity Prevention Program for Children

The goal of Ready, Set, ACTION! (RSA) is to test the feasibility of implementing a theater-based after-school program to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and positive body image with children in grades four through six. This study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIDDK), is a collaboration between the University of Minnesota, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, Saint Paul Public Schools, and Illusion Theater of Minneapolis. Four participating Saint Paul schools were randomly assigned to receive either a control or intervention after school program led by artists/educators from Illusion Theater. Students in the intervention schools received a fourteen-session curriculum with eight booster sessions, in which they received the following messages: increase fruit, vegetable, and water consumption, decrease soda pop, increase physical activity, and decrease television. Families received nutrition and activity information packets themed for each session. The messages were reinforced by theater education, dance, and music. A play structured around the aforementioned messages that included scene vignettes, choreographed dance, and professionally composed music was developed and rehearsed by the children. In December 2006 the children performed the play for their families at Illusion Theater in downtown Minneapolis. They later performed for their peers at school and again for family and school administrators at the conclusion of the program.