1. South Asia Conference on Policies and Practices to Improve Nutrition Security 30-31 July 2014, New Delhi YouthLIFE: Nutrition Education through New Technology Dr. Aparajita Gogoi, Ms. Swati Parmar Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA), India

2. Background o Adolescents - Spanning ages between 10 and 19years (UN) o 253.2 million in India, 20.9% of the country’s population(2011 Census data) o Adolescence represents a critical stage of transition from childhood to maturity-a lot of changes in the physical, social and emotional self o A large portion suffer from nutritional deficiencies - 60% of adolescent girls (15-19 years)suffer from anemia (NFHS 3) o Knowledge, skills and life style practices acquired during this phase have important implications during adulthood

3. Adolescents and Technology o Influence of the technology on the psycho-social development of adolescents is profound o Electronic media and internet have a strong influence on shaping their life style behaviors o Educational technology, especially computers and computer-related peripherals, have grown tremendously and have permeated all areas of our lives o The digital medium in India is being harnessed extensively for supplementing the various core curriculum subjects being taught in the classroom – e.g. Maths, Science, Social Sciences, etc.

4. The Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA India) o CEDPA India designs and implements programs to improve lives of young people, women and girls o Develops and implements peer education programs with in school and out of school adolescents o Aims to facilitate information dissemination on life skills, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health to better equip adolescents to make informed decisions regarding their over all well being

5. YouthLIFE – A Technology based curriculum o Comprehensive, self learning digital information package for adolescents aged 10-19 years o Engages students through interactive and simulative games and exercises leading to effective learning and preparedness to face challenges of everyday life o Topics around Growing Up, Relationships and Healthy habits o Initiative supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

6. Information on Nutrition (Healthy Habits) o Food Pyramid including information around food groups, recommended servings o Nutritional requirements during adolescence o Ill effects of Junk Food o Information on Obesity and Anemia : causes and prevention

7. Objective of the presentation o Share the design, implementation experience and results of the program

8. Methodology o Pilot phase implemented with approx. 1600 students in Delhi (studying in private schools) o Implementation over one academic year with students o A randomized design( using structured self administered pre and post questionnaires)to evaluate impact of program on students’ learning gain o FGDs and IDIs with teachers and principals to solicit feedback on the design and methodology of implementation

9. Implementation Processes…. o Assessment of technical infrastructure within schools in Delhi o Development and designing of a digitized curriculum (3 modules around Growing Up, Healthy Habits & Relationships) o The digitized curriculum developed comprises of - Group and Individual learning o Orientation of principals, training of teachers o Classroom transaction of digital curriculum with students; Regular backstopping of sessions by CEDPA India o Inbuilt individual assessment (led by CEDPA India)

10. Resource Materials o Digital curriculum (CD ROM) - comprises of edutainment zones, interactive games and exercises o A docket - designed to provide information on the content and methodology to use the YouthLIFE digital curriculum o A brochure and flyer – outlining information about the program content, process of implementation and program highlights

11. Results Importance of nutritious food during adolescence

12. Knowledge of junk foods

13. Awareness and understanding of nutrition and anemia

14. Results (contd…) o Overall average increase in knowledge was 22.9% on all topics among students o During the FGDs all the students shared that the learning process under YouthLIFE program using digital media (CD) “was a unique experience which made learning enjoyable, interesting and fun” o IDIs were conducted with the teachers and the principals to assess social desirability o A majority opined that the CD based modules were very effective in delivering the curriculum and helpful in teaching sensitive topics as well

15. Current Implementation Learnings from pilot phase fed in to the expansion of the program Development of a graded curriculum for classes 6,7 and 8 Development of a website for students, parents and teachers Expansion and translation of the current YouthLIFE digital curriculum developed to Hindi Introduction of the YouthLIFE curriculum to more schools in more states

16. Thank You