Researchers tested a new program called ProudMe designed to help kids maintain healthy weights in schools that don’t have many resources. The program included changes to school cafeterias, physical education classes, AI-powered health coaching, and teacher training. While the cafeteria changes worked really well, other parts of the program didn’t work as expected, and overall the program didn’t significantly improve students’ weight or health. The study shows that even good ideas need adjustments to work in real schools.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new school-based program called ProudMe could help prevent obesity in kids by improving cafeteria food choices, physical activity, and using AI coaching with teacher support.
  • Who participated: 79 students from six under-resourced schools (schools with limited budgets and resources). About 33 students participated in the ProudMe program while 46 were in a comparison group that didn’t receive the program yet.
  • Key finding: The cafeteria changes were very successful, but the overall program didn’t significantly improve students’ weight or health outcomes. The AI coaching tool and some physical education changes weren’t used as much as planned.
  • What it means for you: School obesity prevention programs need careful planning and strong support to work. Just having good ideas isn’t enough—schools need to make sure all parts of the program actually happen and are used by students and teachers. This study suggests future programs should focus on what worked (cafeteria changes) and fix what didn’t.

The Research Details

This was a pilot study, which means it was a small test run before doing a bigger study. Researchers randomly assigned six schools to either receive the ProudMe program immediately or wait to receive it later (the control group). The program had four main parts: changes to school cafeteria menus and food choices, changes to physical education classes, an AI-powered app that gave students personalized health advice, and professional training for school staff. The researchers tracked how well the program was actually used (called ‘implementation’) and whether it improved students’ health and weight.

The study lasted several months and collected information through surveys, observations, and interviews. Researchers looked at how many students participated in each part of the program (penetration) and whether the program was delivered the way it was supposed to be (fidelity). They also interviewed school staff to understand what helped or hurt the program’s success.

Understanding why programs work or don’t work in real schools is just as important as knowing if they work. This study used a special framework to identify the specific reasons some parts succeeded while others struggled. This information helps researchers design better programs in the future that actually fit into how schools operate.

This was a well-designed study published in a respected scientific journal. However, it was a small pilot study with only 79 students across six schools, so the results may not apply to all schools. The study was honest about what worked and what didn’t, which is valuable for future research. The researchers used multiple methods to collect information (surveys, observations, and interviews), which strengthens the findings.

What the Results Show

The ProudMe program showed very different results across its different parts. The cafeteria changes were the biggest success—the program significantly improved the quality of food choices available and how the cafeteria operated. Students had better access to healthy options.

However, the overall program did not significantly improve students’ weight, body measurements, or other health markers compared to the control group. This was disappointing because weight improvement was a main goal. The physical education changes had moderate success—some students participated, but not as many as hoped, and the classes weren’t always taught exactly as planned.

The AI-powered coaching tool (ProudMe Tech) was underused. Many students and teachers didn’t use it as much as expected. The teacher professional development sessions were well-attended, but this didn’t translate into strong implementation of the program in classrooms.

The study found that school staff attitudes, available resources, and time constraints were major factors affecting success. Schools with strong leadership support and clear communication about the program did better. Schools that struggled with limited staff or competing priorities had more difficulty implementing all parts of the program. The cafeteria staff were particularly enthusiastic and committed, which explains why that component succeeded.

This study aligns with previous research showing that school-based obesity prevention is challenging. Other studies have also found that even well-designed programs don’t always produce significant weight changes in students. However, this study adds valuable information by showing that some components (like cafeteria improvements) can work well even when overall weight outcomes don’t improve. This suggests that schools should focus on sustainable changes like food environment improvements rather than expecting quick weight loss.

This was a small pilot study with only 79 students, so results may not apply to other schools. The study only lasted several months, which may not be long enough to see weight changes. Some parts of the program weren’t used as much as planned, which made it hard to know if they could work if implemented better. The study didn’t include detailed information about students’ home environments or family support, which also affect weight and health. Schools that volunteered for the study may be different from schools that didn’t volunteer.

The Bottom Line

Schools interested in obesity prevention should consider focusing on cafeteria improvements first, as this component showed the most promise. Before starting a complex multi-part program, schools should ensure they have adequate staff, clear leadership support, and realistic timelines. Any new program should be tested in a small way first to identify problems before full implementation. Teachers and staff should receive clear training and ongoing support. Technology tools should be designed to be easy to use or they may not be adopted. Confidence level: Moderate—this is based on one small pilot study.

School administrators and nutrition staff should pay attention to these findings, especially those in under-resourced schools. Parents may be interested in understanding why school-based weight loss programs don’t always work. Teachers and PE instructors can learn from what helped and what didn’t. Policymakers should understand that obesity prevention requires sustained effort and proper resources. Students and families shouldn’t expect quick weight changes from school programs alone—they work best as part of a broader healthy lifestyle approach.

Cafeteria improvements can be noticed within weeks to months as students see more healthy options available. However, significant changes in student weight or health typically take 6-12 months or longer to appear. This study only ran for several months, which may explain why weight changes weren’t seen. Behavioral changes (like choosing healthier foods) may appear faster than physical changes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily cafeteria food choices by taking photos of lunch trays or logging what students eat. Compare choices week-to-week to see if students are gradually selecting more vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. This provides immediate feedback without waiting for weight changes.
  • Use the app to set a specific goal like ‘Choose one vegetable or fruit at lunch three times this week’ rather than focusing on weight. Create a simple checklist in the app where students can mark off each healthy choice they make. Celebrate small wins to build motivation.
  • Have students log their lunch choices weekly and review trends monthly. Track not just what they eat, but also how they feel after eating different foods. Monitor participation rates in physical activity and celebrate attendance rather than focusing only on performance. Share progress with families through simple monthly reports showing food choices and activity participation.

This pilot study shows mixed results and should not be considered definitive evidence that ProudMe or similar programs will work in all schools. The study was small and short-term, so results may not apply to your school or community. Weight and health are influenced by many factors including genetics, family habits, and overall lifestyle—not just school programs. Parents and students should consult with healthcare providers before making significant changes based on this research. School administrators should consider this as one piece of information when planning obesity prevention efforts, not as the only guide. This research is preliminary and future studies are needed to determine the best approaches for preventing childhood obesity in schools.