The PRYDE Presents: Talking Youth Research Podcast Series spotlights conversations on youth development research and practice at Cornell and within New York’s communities. In this  fourth episode, we feature a discussion that was held before the pandemic between Dr. Wendy Wolfe, Research Associate from the Division of Nutritional Sciences, and now graduated scholars Jessica Lindenstraus (PAM ‘21) and Isabella Lombardo (HBHS ‘21) regarding how partnerships within nutrition education can enhance programing. 

Dr. Wendy Wolfe is an extension associate who spearheaded the development of the Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness (CHFFF), a curriculum for grades 3 through 6 aimed to improve childhood nutrition by teaching healthy habits and focusing on obesity prevention. CHFFF is a research-based experience for youth that features lessons promoting positive behaviors, such as avoiding sugary drinks, eating a balanced breakfast, and increasing physical activity. Through a hands-on approach, CHFFF educates youth that prioritizing nutritional health can be rewarding and enjoyable. “Instead of talking to them about physical activity and how important it is, we incorporate [healthy habits] by including 4 different active games in every lesson, showing all these different, fun ways to be active”. 

CHFFF is complemented by a partner program called Choose Health Action Teens (CHAT) in which adolescents are trained to teach the CHFFF curriculum. The experience of co-teaching CHFFF is beneficial for the older youth as they gain experience as facilitators practicing leadership and public speaking. When asked about the inspiration for engaging older teens in program delivery, Dr. Wolfe explains by saying that “Direct involvement [of the teens] from the beginning was instrumental in making it the quality curriculum it has become because they helped write pieces of it...decided on what we want to focus on, and provided detailed feedback on ways to make it better.” As a result of involving teens as educators, youth in the CHFFF program can make valuable connections with mentors who are working together to improve community health. 

“The kids love having teens in there teaching them instead of adults. They’re very excited about it, they get energized, and they see them as role models.”, Dr. Wolfe remarks. The inter-project collaboration was so successful that the National 4-H Council requested Dr. Wolfe’s team to formally market the program and increase access for youth through the 4-H system. You can view the CHFFF curriculum materials and additional information on the program through Cornell’s online resource page. 

To hear more on Dr. Wolfe’s insights about engaging youth as leaders in childhood nutrition education programing, listen to the PRYDE Presents Podcast here or search for “PRYDE Presents” on your podcast platform of choice (e.g., Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, RadioPublic). Stay tuned for new “PRYDE Presents: Talking Youth Research” episodes that continue the conversation on translational youth development research.