Summer migrant students learn healthy choices through videography.

The purpose of this single-group pre- and posttest intervention pilot study was to teach middle school migrant farmworker children the benefits of healthy eating and activity using a multimedia and ethnic-tailored health curriculum, embedded in a 7-week summer Migrant Education Program. Conceptual frameworks were from transcultural nursing, education, and child development. Student-made video productions enhanced classroom learning and content retention. Outcomes were health infomercials, body mass index (BMI), BMI percentile, muscle strength and flexibility, and We Can! and Coordinated Approach To Child Health (CATCH) surveys. Sixty-four students were enrolled (girls n = 31, boys n = 33), 96% Latino, and 65% were overweight or obese. Students had significant improvement in 12 knowledge and attitudes measures with significant gender differences in 11 measures. Although not statistically significant, trends toward healthier weight were seen. Five student infomercials were produced. The school environment effectively delivered health promotion to migrant children and will serve as a prototype for middle school health interventions.