Effectiveness of Let's Go! 5-2-1-0 on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Body Mass Index among Turkish Adolescents

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Effectiveness of Let's Go! 5-2-1-0 on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Body Mass Index among Turkish Adolescents
Language: English
Authors: Tugba Duygu Ozmet (ORCID 0000-0003-1123-5684), Ayse Ergun (ORCID 0000-0003-3132-2005)
Source: Health Education Journal. 2026 85(2):135-149.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Program Effectiveness, Nutrition Instruction, Physical Activity Level, Body Composition, Body Weight, Body Height, Middle School Students, Early Adolescents, Intervention, Health Promotion, Health Behavior, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Turkey (Istanbul)
DOI: 10.1177/00178969251384148
ISSN: 0017-8969
1748-8176
Abstract: Objective: This study evaluated the effects of the Let's Go! 5-2-1-0 programme on adolescents' nutritional habits, physical activity levels and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Conducted between May 2022 and January 2023, this quasi-experimental study took place at two middle schools in Istanbul. A total of 150 adolescents participated, with one school designated as the intervention group (n = 75) and another as the control group (n = 75). The intervention group received six training sessions. Data were collected using a Descriptive Characteristics Form, a Healthy Habits Questionnaire, a Physical Activity Questionnaire and anthropometric measurements (height and weight). Demographic characteristics of the intervention and control groups were compared using Chi-square and t-tests, while Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were employed to analyse differences in pre-test, post-test and follow-up scale scores between groups. Results: Subsequent to the programme, the intervention group exhibited a significant decrease in the proportion of students with a BMI greater than 85. Improvements were noted in the consumption of low-fat milk, whole milk and 100% fruit juice, along with increased breakfast frequency, family meal participation and water intake. In addition, there was a decrease in the consumption of soft drinks and ready-made fruit juices/sports drinks. However, no significant differences in physical activity scores were found between the intervention and control groups. Conclusion: The Let's Go! 5-2-1-0 programme promoted healthy eating habits and reduced BMI among adolescents. Nonetheless, its effects on physical activity were limited. Study findings suggest the need for the further development of physical activity initiatives within schools to encourage more active lifestyles among students.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499982
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Objective: This study evaluated the effects of the Let's Go! 5-2-1-0 programme on adolescents' nutritional habits, physical activity levels and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Conducted between May 2022 and January 2023, this quasi-experimental study took place at two middle schools in Istanbul. A total of 150 adolescents participated, with one school designated as the intervention group (n = 75) and another as the control group (n = 75). The intervention group received six training sessions. Data were collected using a Descriptive Characteristics Form, a Healthy Habits Questionnaire, a Physical Activity Questionnaire and anthropometric measurements (height and weight). Demographic characteristics of the intervention and control groups were compared using Chi-square and t-tests, while Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were employed to analyse differences in pre-test, post-test and follow-up scale scores between groups. Results: Subsequent to the programme, the intervention group exhibited a significant decrease in the proportion of students with a BMI greater than 85. Improvements were noted in the consumption of low-fat milk, whole milk and 100% fruit juice, along with increased breakfast frequency, family meal participation and water intake. In addition, there was a decrease in the consumption of soft drinks and ready-made fruit juices/sports drinks. However, no significant differences in physical activity scores were found between the intervention and control groups. Conclusion: The Let's Go! 5-2-1-0 programme promoted healthy eating habits and reduced BMI among adolescents. Nonetheless, its effects on physical activity were limited. Study findings suggest the need for the further development of physical activity initiatives within schools to encourage more active lifestyles among students.
ISSN:0017-8969
1748-8176
DOI:10.1177/00178969251384148