Design and Methodology of the Texas MyPlate Ambassador Program: Two Multicomponent Nutrition Interventions for High School Students.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate 2 new curricula-MyPlate Influencer and MyPlate Educator-and related intervention components (e.g., text messages, implementation support).

DESIGN

A non-randomized two-arm design is used to evaluate (single-arm pretest to posttest changes) and compare (Influencer vs Educator) curricula. An embedded sequential multiple assignment randomized trial is used to evaluate MyPlate text message education and implementation support.

SETTING

Texas, USA

PARTICIPANTS

Ambassadors (n = 100) at public high schools or home schools will be recruited online and in person.

INTERVENTION(S): MyPlate Influencers implement a nutrition-focused environmental change project in their schools (e.g., taste-testing recipes, enhancing local wellness policies, and hosting agriculture events). MyPlate Educators provide peer-to-peer education to younger students. All ambassadors receive MyPlate goal-setting education. MyPlate text message education (tailored vs general) and implementation support (peer and educator vs educator notification) will be randomized (1:1 ratio).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary outcomes-diet quality and positive youth development-will be assessed using pretest and posttest surveys. Other outcomes include dermal carotenoids and MyPlate knowledge (posttest only), monthly goal reports, and process evaluation measures (e.g., event tracking and interviews).

ANALYSIS: Single-group pre- to post-intervention changes (paired sample t tests), and between-group differences and embedded randomized components (general linear models) will be evaluated.