Research

KickinNutrition.TV is an evidence-based program evaluated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its highly competitive, peer-reviewed Small Business Innovation Research grant program in collaboration with Boston University with over 1,300 youth in Massachusetts and New York City. The program has also been evaluated in Pinellas County, Florida, in collaboration with Philliber Research Associates, with 14,000 youth.

On average, over 30 to 40 percent of students showed measurable improvements in eating behaviors relating to increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.

 
  • The Phase I and Phase II KickinNutrition.TV research initiatives were funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its highly competitive, peer-reviewed Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant program. KickinNutrition.TV was evaluated in both studies by Dr. Paula Quatromoni of Boston University.
  • Positive quantitative results in Phase I, including greater nutrition knowledge, readiness to change health-related behaviors, and greater self-efficacy (empowerment to change eating behaviors), provided the rationale behind the Phase II pilot study. In Phase II, the quasi-experiment assigned a 2:1 ratio for randomized classrooms involving over 1,100 students in three public school districts in Massachusetts (two urban Title 1 schools and one suburban district) and has demonstrated KickinNutrition.TV as an effective and unique tool for nutrition education in middle school classrooms.
  • Dr. Paula Quatromoni has presented finding at the American Heart Association Epi-lifestyle Scientific Sessions (2015), the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (2015) and the Whole Grains Summit (2015). Publication is forthcoming in 2016.
Research experts at Philliber Research Associates evaluated the KickinNutrition.TV program in 2014 with 220+ 6th grade students in Harlem Village Academy Charter schools in New York City. 5th and 6th grade students were assessed before and after receiving the KickinNutrition.TV program and also evaluted after each program intervention exposing students to a new KNTV video – to evaluate their eating habits, knowledge about nutrition, and self-efficacy for several health-related behaviors. Evaluation was made possible through generous support from Heckscher Foundation for Children & Thomas L. Kempner Jr.
Philliber Research Associates is currently evaluating the impact of KickinNutrition.TV with 500+ 6th grade students in Florida, including an intervention group and a control group, made possible through generous support from Heckscher Foundation for Children & Thomas L. Kempner Jr. Results will be assessed using pre- and post- surveys and an evaluation of user engagement level, estimated based on online data metrics, and correlated with evaluation of program efficacy, nutrition knowledge and impact on behavior change. The evaluation will conclude in late 2015 and results will be made available in 2016.