A three-year randomized controlled trial of the CATCH program tracked students from ethnically diverse back-grounds in 56 intervention and 40 control elementary schools in Texas, Minnesota, California and Louisiana. The study found that children significantly increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during gym classes (from 40 to 50 percent), while significantly decreasing their consumption of fat (from 39 to 32 percent) in school meals. According to follow-up surveys, the significantly increased physical activity and reduced fat intake persisted over three consecutive years without additional intervention.
The CATCH program coordinates four components:
School Nutrition — CATCH Eat Smart guides school cafeterias in promoting a nutrition-rich environment. CATCH Eat Smart Guidelines outline daily menus using child-tested recipes to prepare foods lower in fat, saturated fat, and sodium.
Classroom — Go For Health, a cartoon and peer-based curriculum, teaches healthy eating, daily physical activity and avoiding tobacco – habits that prevent chronic disease.
Family — At home, the health messages children learn in school are reinforced with interactive and enjoyable Home Team activities. The school community is brought together through school-hosted events such as CATCH Family Fun Nights, Wellness Wednesdays, and CATCH Me Healthy promotions.
Results of the Multi-State CATCH Study
By the end of three years, students who took part in the CATCH program had reduced their self-reported intake of fat and saturated fat and were more physically active than those students who did not participate. The family component increased knowledge and attitudes about healthy behaviors, although it did not result in children reporting any additional changes in their health behavior.
The CATCH cohort was revisited three years later in grade 8. Despite having no further organized teaching after 5th grade, CATCH students reported maintaining healthy eating habits and physical activity.
