Facilitator Evaluation - Teen Facilitator Package
Parent/Teen
Partnership for Teens & Diets: No Weigh Program Report from
Concord Hospital in Concord, NH
Marilyn’s
overall comments….. "Thank you for a wonderful program.
It was wonderful to see the change in the girls! "
Introduction
Thank you to Marilyn for coming up with evaluation forms for
Teens & Diets: No Weigh. We are sharing the forms and valuable
feedback that Marilyn has received in using these forms.
Comments back to us regarding strengths and weaknesses of the
program are helpful in guiding facilitators in the best use of
the existing material and additions. As facilitators begin to
share more and more as the program continues to grow, we will
be able to offer you more insight into making this program even
more useful and effective.
Background & Format
Marilyn Donnelly, RD from Concord Hospital in Concord, NH used
Teens & Diets: No Weigh with girls only and held it as an
orientation plus 8 sessions. The focus was on increasing self-esteem
and stopping dieting. Each sessions included a 30 - 60 minute
physical activity such as Tai Chi, yoga, step aerobics, walking
and dancing. The classes were 2.5 hours (1 ½ hour of class
time;
rest experimentation with physical activities).
Promotion
Their Center has a quarterly brochure of classes that is mailed
out to 10,000 families. Also sent fliers to school nurses and
guidance counselors in their area, as well as to pediatricians
to market the program. Also sent to nutrition clients in this
age group, as appropriate.
Evaluation
The girls liked the games which were very well received and role
playing but did not like the journal activities (note discussion
in this update on journaling so that you as a facilitator can
appreciate the skill building process and retention of concepts
that this process can convey). One suggestion is to have more
sessions and do journaling as part of actual class time where
participants will call out answers and teens will record in their
journals as a permanent record and
to get used to enjoying journaling on a group level. This skill
may be useful to them later on in life as they work through problems
through various stages of life.
The following is a compilation of the evaluations that were received
from the
girls...
Background on participants:
· ages 17, 14, 15 ½, 13, 15 ½, 12 ½,
131/2
Why did you choose to come to this course?
· I would like to lose some weight without dieting.
· Because I am very critical about my weight compared
to my friends I feel fat!
· Because it was recommended, Marilyn is my nutritionist,
it sounded like fun, I want to lose weight.
· To meet other girls
· Because Erin was going.
· My Mom asked me to come.
· Cause I wanted to lose weight.
What do you hope to get out of the program?
· Healthier habits
· Maybe to learn how to accept my weight (feel better
about self)
· I don’t know yet.
· Getting new friends and better fit.
· Buddies
· Lose weight
· I want to lose weight.
What was the most helpful/positive part of the class? Why?
· Talking in a group to share our feelings about dieting
and the physical activities
· Knowing that I am not alone.
· I really liked discussions we had. I also liked games
we played. Sometimes it would be really
boring, but most of the time it wasn’t.
· The journal review was kind of wasting time when we
had already gone over it the week
before during class.
· The activities
· The exercising with the weight. It was fun.
· Talking in a group and at the last class how we got
in a circle so we could see the teachers
that was very helpful.
· I think it was the information, the way it was presented,
and the way nobody was told that they
were fat.
What was the least helpful part of the class? Why?
· None
· Journal
· I think the least helpful part would be the journals.
They were too much of a pain to do, because I already have enough
homework as it is. (Note: using the journals as homework is not
as effective as using it as part of class time so that it is
fun and not a pain. This may mean that you will need more than
eight sessions in order to do this and devote a class to journaling
for each session. You could also choose to break up the 8 stages
into two parts with the first part being 8 weeks; 1st week the
session, 2nd week the journaling for the first stage, etc. and
the 2nd part consisting of last 4 stages). Refer to details on
journaling as part of this update.
· The journal review was kind of wasting time when we
had already gone over it the week before during class.
· Possibly the journals since you went over all that stuff
exactly. But it was a good way for us to remember it. (Note:
format for introducing journals is simply a guideline; if teens
catch on quickly, there is no need to spend lots of time in introducing
journaling for the week; make it part of class time where teens
call out the answers and simply record in their journal can get
them into the habit of using this skill effortlessly and in a
more fun way).
· Nothing!
· Having people talk out of turn and also sitting down
for an hour and a ½ when talking – the stick people
always fight about it.
· Well, a lot of it wasn’t aimed at where I am right
now, but don’t get me wrong, I loved this class and I sure
wish I knew about it when I was 12. (comment on journal…..it
was hard to get time to write in it, but it was good for me).
Have you seen any changes in the following areas since the
beginning of the program?
Please explain.
Eating in response to “body hunger”
· I eat when I am hungry or want food because I need it,
and stop when I am satisfied.
· Yes, I have started to do that.
· Ever since I’ve started the class I mostly eat
when I’m hungry, I feel there’s no point on eating
when you’re not hungry.
· muy bien Excelenta
· I’ve concentrated on the difference and actually
asking myself which one it was.
· Yes, because now I know if I am really hungry or just
bored.
· After starting the class, I am a lot better at eating
healthy and only when my body tells me to.
· Yes, I think I’ve learned to listen to my body,
instead of ignoring it.
Eating in response to “mind hunger”
· I’ve changed a little with mind hunger, avoided
eating for mind hunger by putting off eating until I am physically
hungry.
· I did less of that.
· Eating for mind hunger is stupid. I learned that in
the class.
· Good
· I’ve concentrated on the difference and actually
asking myself which one it was. · Yes, I am hungry when
I know I am hungry.
· I think that at the beginning of the class I always
ate by mind not body. Now I feel a lot better after listening
to my body.
· Less now, I usually pick the food and the balance, and
then I let go and let body hunger take over.
General understanding of nutrition
· It is healthier to eat a bit healthier with less fat,
oil etc in addition to the processed foods we learned about in
one of our sessions.
· I learned a lot about nutrition in the course.
· You should do more about nutrition so people can get
a really good understanding.
· Sort of, kind of, but not really changed.
· Yes, I am eating a lot healthier now that I have taken
this class.
· Yes, I walked in here knowing nothing about nutrition
now I know a lot more about it.
· It’s improved a lot.
Attitude toward physical activity
· I like it a little more. There are times when I don’t
have the time, but try to do it ore the recent rain has kept
me less active but when the weather clears I’ll be out walking
again because I love it!
· I feel better about physical activity.
· I want to do more physical activity and I think the
course is the reason.
· Awesome. Muy excelente
· It is a lot better. I can look at it as a lot more fun
than ever before.
· I think next year I should join some physical activities
so I can become healthier when I am older like 30.
· I have always loved activities now the door is open
to new and different ones.
· I think I like exercise a lot more now.
We will be offering the class again in September. Would you
recommend this class to a friend? Why or why not?
· Yeah. If I found a friend in need of it, however don’t
think I know anybody.
· Yes. I would because a lot of my friends don’t
eat because they think they are fat!
· Yes, I would because it has taught me a lot and I would
want my friends to have the same experience.
· Yes, because it’s a good way of understanding how
to live a healthier life.
· Yes, because it was fun and we still learned something
, but I also gained some friends, whether they know it nor not.
· Yes, because it is a great class. They should have as
good of a time as I had for the past 8 weeks.
· Yes, It was fun and very educational but we had fun
while learning.
· Yes, because this class had an awesome atmosphere, good
information, and everyone was themselves and you didn’t
need to feel self-conscious.
This class could really save someone someday.
Responses
from parents using the new forms that Marilyn designed...
What type of changes have you observed in your daughter’s
behavior and/or attitude since the inception of this program?
· Not afraid to join a group and talk.
· Has started a more regular exercise program (walking
and roller blading); very excited about each class
· She has always been “self-directed”, and she
chose to attend this class to address self-perceived problems
as well as on-going health issues. I don’t see a “change”,
but she feels she got a lot out of the program.
· More serious about food/meal choices especially away
from parents at friends’ houses/awareness of benefits of
increased activity and exercise.
· Erin cares more about what kinds of food she will eat.
She also realizes the value of exercise.
· An exchange of ideas between both daughters and sharing
of ideas with me.
· I have noticed a better awareness of her food intake
with awareness of food groups; also a part of it is exercise.
In your opinion, what is the most positive aspect of the program?
· That there is not an easy answer, regular exercise and
healthy diet is the only way.
· Much higher esteem & self confidence
· Marie liked it and thought it was helpful
· Self awareness and acceptance
· Recognizing body hunger
· That they do have options and can be in control.
· Combination of the activities and education. I’ve
also noted much positive interaction among the girls. I also
like the positive influence of Diane and Marilyn.
Would you recommend this program to other parents of teenage
girls? Why or why not?
· Yes, educational about health and diets.
· A very positive class; learned a lot.
· Yes
· Yes. I liked the influence of a peer group in a positive
atmosphere – learned to “share” and open up in
a group not associated with school/neighborhood friends.
· Yes. This is an excellent way to learn through peer
support and direction of the curriculum proper ways to eat and
to grow.
· Yes. It gives the girls a broader view for decision
making on their own behalf.
· Yes. Good program – good information, diversified
activity.
Linda's Comments
Other insights into use of support materials and including physical
activity as part of program
Note the impact that including a variety of physical activities
had on getting the girls active and enjoying it!
Also note the difficulty in getting girls to do their journaling.
This process of learning this skill is valuable though and should
not be omitted. This “keeper” information, as one teen
pointed out, was good for her; working it in was the difficult
part. You might choose to use the journal as part of class time
so that it is fun and not a pain. We have prepared The Hows and
Whys of journaling to help you with this.
Incorporating journaling into class time with more sessions will
accommodate this new feedback. |
