Engaging Youth to Examine Lifestyle Behaviors through Authentic Research with University Partnerships

University researchers partnered with secondary students in West Virginia and Mali on an international science investigation to strengthen science education and public health practices. WV and Mali students made comparisons of diet, physical activity, BMI, and blood pressure gathered from study participants. Full IRB approval was provided by West Virginia University for this human subjects study. The mean systolic blood pressure for the Mali participants was significantly lower, especially when compared to African-American youth (p=0.0008), as was the mean BMI scores of Mali participants (F [subscript 1, 77]=11.43, p=0.0011). Student investigators analyzed results with guidance by university faculty and showcased their results to peer-audiences at school, for local community events, and at annual Symposia. The University partnership provided opportunities for secondary students and their teachers to discover the role that environment plays in influencing health via authentic research and exposure to international public health strategies. Viable alternatives to unhealthy behavior were shared. Results point to the importance of a nutrition-dense diet (low in fats and sugar) combined with simple walking, as beneficial for all humans. Such comparisons can enhance science education, global health awareness, and empower young adults to alter their unhealthy behavior so as to avoid chronic disease in adulthood. (Contains 3 tables.)