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Dissemination of an Effective Weight Management Program for Mexican American Children in Schools
Author(s) -
Palcic Jennette,
Johnston Craig A,
Breslin Whitney,
El-Mubasher Abeer,
Foreyt John P
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.246.4
Subject(s) - overweight , medicine , body mass index , obesity , weight management , randomized controlled trial , intervention (counseling) , curriculum , childhood obesity , physical therapy , demography , pediatrics , gerontology , psychology , nursing , pedagogy , sociology
Baseline The rates of child obesity are epidemic in the United States, and Mexican American children are at particular risk. We have found an intensive, multi‐component, school‐based, weight management intervention to be efficacious at reducing standardized body mass index ( z BMI) in overweight children. Our next step was to examine the ability of PE teachers to implement this program (dissemination condition (DS)). Objective The current study sought to examine the efficacy of our intervention led by a PE teacher. Methods Students were randomized to either a research staff led intervention (SLI) or the DS condition. The SLI received classes 3 days a week. Students in the DS condition received the same curriculum but led by a PE teacher. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate weight changes using z BMI from baseline to 3, 6, and 12 months. Results Students in both conditions significantly decreased their z BMI at 3, 6, and 12 months (F=50.7, p<.0001). Independently, both conditions demonstrated a significant decrease in z BMI at 3, 6, and 12 months (ILI: F=46.0, p<.001 and DS: F=12.8 p<.001). The SLI condition significantly out performed the DS condition (F=5.34, p<.01). Conclusions Overall, the results suggest that our intensive school‐based weight management program can be disseminated. However, there does still appear to be an advantage to the intervention when implemented by health professionals.