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Impact of school‐based intervention on urban, low‐SES, minority students eating behaviors: the HEALTH‐KIDS Study′′′′′
Author(s) -
Wang Youfa,
Li Ji,
Jahns Lisa
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a1005-c
Subject(s) - overweight , obesity , intervention (counseling) , health promotion , environmental health , medicine , anthropometry , gerontology , nutrition education , public health , psychiatry , nursing
Low‐SES and minority US groups are disproportionally affected by obesity, which may be due to their unhealthy eating and physical activity patterns. In a randomized intervention trial, we tested a comprehensive school‐based, environmental obesity prevention program in urban low‐SES African American adolescents. Four Chicago public schools, ~450 5‐7th graders and their families were involved to promote healthy eating and physical activity (PA). The intervention includes programs modifying school physical and social environment by targeting health education, recess, physical education, food service, and school climate, and a family program. At baseline, 22% students were overweight (BMI>=95th percentile), with no significant differences between the intervention and control groups anthropometric measures (p>0.05). Their baseline eating and physical activity patterns were consistent with the high prevalence of obesity including high levels of energy, snack, fried food, and sweetened beverage consumption. During 1.5 y post‐intervention follow‐up, in both groups, students fruit, vegetable and snack consumption decreased; but soft drink, fried food and milk increased (p<0.001). Compared to control, the intervention resulted in a greater reduction in students snack consumption by 1.1 servings (p<0.05), and a higher likelihood to consume >=3 servings vegetables (OR=1.8 [1.0, 3.2]). Comprehensive school‐based health promotion programs with a focus on healthy eating and body weight are urgently needed in US urban, low‐SES, minority communities and such programs can help prevent obesity. Support: NIH #R01 DK63383.