What is it about?
This article describes a 2-week challenge to earn points implemented in elementary schools based on the 5-2-1-0 message (Daily aim: eat 5 servings of fruits / veggies, have 2 hours of less of recreational screen time, exercise / play at least 1 hour, drink 0 beverages with added sugar. The challenge was fun for students, was relatively easy for the school nurse to conduct, and showed signs of positive impact on healthy behaviors.
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Why is it important?
5-2-1-0 has been shown to be an effective teaching method in schools to help to prevent or manage childhood obesity. Presenting the 5-2-1-0 message in a challenge format was new and it reached many students at one time.
Perspectives
School nurses are busy, so having time to effectively teach preventative health strategies to students can be a challenge. I developed the 5-2-1-0 Challenge as a new way to present a research-based initiative that addresses childhood obesity and offers incentive to try healthy daily habits. The Challenge was fun for students, did not add extra work for teachers, was relatively easy for me the school nurse to implement, reached many students (almost 50% participated with minimal promotion), and was effective (for ex: there was a statistically significant reduction in the percentage of chocolate milk consumed).
Cynthia Lovell
Madison Metropolitan School District
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: 5-2-1-0 Activity and Nutrition Challenge for Elementary Students, The Journal of School Nursing, January 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1059840517689893.
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