Student Perspectives on a Smoothie-Based Educational Program Designed Using Social Cognitive Theory and Choice Architecture

TL;DR

A smoothie-based nutrition program for rural adolescents was well-received and showed promise in improving nutrition knowledge and behavior through theory-based design.

Contribution

This study evaluates a novel, theory-driven smoothie program in schools to improve adolescent nutrition security.

Findings

Over 85% of students liked the smoothie recipes, with high willingness to consume them again at school.

Student feedback aligned with Social Cognitive Theory mechanisms like self-efficacy and goal-setting.

The program's design using Choice Architecture and experiential learning showed strong engagement and knowledge retention.

Abstract

Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?
Rural adolescents often face barriers to nutrition security, and schools are a primary setting where nutrition programs can reach students equitably.This study evaluates a theory-based smoothie and nutrition education program during the school lunch period.

Rural adolescents often face barriers to nutrition security, and schools are a primary setting where nutrition programs can reach students equitably.

This study evaluates a theory-based smoothie and nutrition education program during the school lunch period.

Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?
Students reported high likeability across all program sessions, with strong willingness to consume smoothies again at school lunch.Student feedback reflected key mechanisms of behavior change and environmental influences consistent with Social Cognitive Theory and Choice Architecture.

Students reported high likeability across all program sessions, with strong willingness to consume smoothies again at school lunch.

Student feedback reflected key mechanisms of behavior change and environmental influences consistent with Social Cognitive Theory and Choice Architecture.

Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers and/or researchers in public health?
Brief, point-of-service nutrition education paired with experiential tastings may be a feasible approach for supporting nutrition knowledge and engagement within existing school meal systems.Implementation of such programming can be strengthened by incorporating more hands-on and peer-based components.

Brief, point-of-service nutrition education paired with experiential tastings may be a feasible approach for supporting nutrition knowledge and engagement within existing school meal systems.

Implementation of such programming can be strengthened by incorporating more hands-on and peer-based components.

Background/Objective: Helping Early Adolescents Live Their Healthiest Youth (HEALTHY) is a four-session, smoothie-based nutrition education program grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Choice Architecture, designed to promote nutrition security among rural adolescents. This study examined students’ experiences with the program, including perceptions of likeability and perceived learning, as well as the theoretical mechanisms shaping engagement. Methods: A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted in two rural middle schools where the programming was delivered. Process indicators were assessed using brief paper-based surveys administered after each program session. Quantitative items captured likability and willingness to consume smoothies again (at home or school lunch), and qualitative open-ended responses were analyzed inductively. Post-program focus groups were conducted with a subsample of participants (N = 18) and analyzed deductively using a coding framework aligned with SCT constructs. Results: Across sessions, students (N = 360) reported high smoothie likeability, with fewer than 15% indicating dislike of any recipe. Willingness to consume smoothies again remained high, with affirmative responses ranging from 72% to 94% at home and 79% to 97% at school lunch. Inductive thematic analysis indicated that 53% of survey responses reflected session-aligned nutrition knowledge, along with themes related to acceptability and suggestions for improvement. Focus group findings reflected multiple SCT constructs, including knowledge awareness, self-efficacy, and goal-setting, as well as environmental influences regarding engagement, consistent with Choice Architecture. Conclusions: Findings indicate that the HEALTHY program was well received by rural adolescents and reflected key theoretical mechanisms underlying its design. Student feedback guides future program refinement.