Research Programs

Strength and Power In Nutrition (SPIN):
A Health and Consumer Program for Adolescents

For five years, UMass Nutrition and Public Health faculty and Extension professionals have been working on a community program called SPIN (Strength and Power In Nutrition).  The primary goals of this program are to assess the consumer and lifestyle habits of White and Latino adolescents (aged 11-14), and design a culturally-appropriate program to promote healthier eating, smart food and beverage shopping skills, and increased physical activity.  Since traditional obesity prevention programs for adolescents have shown limited success, SPIN uses a more innovative approach, helping adolescents examine their lifestyle choices in the context of personal power.  SPIN is also based on information collected through interviews and focus groups with adolescents in after-school and other community-based programs in western Massachusetts. 

SPIN includes eight fun sessions, which help adolescents learn food shopping and money-saving skills, information about healthy eating and physical activity, and ways to apply decision-making skills to their food and physical activity choices.  The program includes a family component and a final project where the adolescents communicate what they have learned to others through a creative medium of their choice (art, music, dance, etc).  These sessions are being delivered by educators specially trained in the curriculum.

Decreasing physical activity and increasing high-calorie food and beverage intake are contributing to health and weight-related problems in our youth. Studies show that children who eat healthy and are physically active perform better in school.  Our program offers a unique perspective on these issues because:

1. It is based on what we have learned from our target population.  We collected a large amount of information from White and Latino adolescents living in the area.  Through individual interviews and focus groups, we asked not only what the adolescents like to eat, but also the foods and beverages they regularly buy, and why.   We also explored their favorite physical activities and ways they most like to learn.
2. We emphasize choices the adolescents make every day.  SPIN helps adolescents recognize and understand their own personal powers (such as the powers of health, knowledge, time and money), and ways to build that power.  For example, they examine marketing tactics and discover that they can trade their powers (such as money or time) for others (such as healthy foods or physical activities). 
3. The program teaches through challenge and discovery.  Recognizing the power of marketing, our entire strategy is unique.  Instead of using a traditional classroom approach, we will use models taken from the marketing world and pop culture to help adolescents learn through interactive challenges and discovery.
4. We involve the family.  SPIN provides materials to parents or caretakers, and ends in a final celebration planned by the adolescents with food and fun for everyone.  
5. SPIN has shown significant impacts on food choices.  Last year we collected extensive data to measure the impacts of SPIN on adolescents’ diets, physical activities, and skills regarding nutrition, decision-making, and consumer literacy.  Although we are still analyzing the data, we have already seen significant changes in food choices.

For more information about SPIN, please contact the principal investigators for the program:

Jean Anliker, PhD, RD, LDN           
Associate Professor of Nutrition
Phone: 413-545-1693
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Elena Carbone, DrPH, RD, LDN   
Associate Professor of Nutrition   
Phone: 413-545-1071
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