Jess Haines|Dianne Neumark?Sztainer|Cheryl L. Perry|Peter J. Hannan|Michael P. Levine
V.I.K. (Very Important Kids): a school-based program designed to reduce teasing and unhealthy weight-control behaviors
University of Minnesota|University of Minnesota|University of Minnesota|University of Minnesota|Kenyon College
purpose study evaluate feasibility effectiveness vik important kids schoolbased multicomponent intervention designed prevent teasing unhealthy weightcontrol behaviors among fourth sixth grade students effectiveness vik intervention evaluated using prepost quasiexperimental design one school assigned condition intervention assessmentonly control data collected baseline 8month posttest among 63 students intervention school 57 students control school vik intervention included afterschool program theater program school environment components family component process data suggest vik program feasibly implemented within school setting effectively engage students school staff parents analysis impact data revealed percentage students reporting teased decreased significantly intervention school relative control school controlling baseline levels teasing body mass index z score demographic factors odds ratio 022 95 confidence interval 006 088 p 003 findings provide promising evidence multicomponent schoolbased interventions may effectively reduce teasing elementary schools future research interventions aimed preventing teasing using larger sample schools warranted