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Health behavior knowledge among Hispanic California islanders: Evaluation of a parental educational intervention
Author(s) -
Parsons Karla,
Rutkowski Elaine M.,
Turel Ofir
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/jspn.12235
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , body mass index , medicine , gerontology , childhood obesity , obesity , pacific islanders , physical activity , health education , family medicine , physical therapy , environmental health , nursing , public health , overweight , population , pathology
Abstract Purpose To evaluate the impact of a school nurse‐led pilot parent‐focused education program for healthy eating and physical activity to reduce childhood obesity. Design and Methods A quasi‐experimental intervention design was used to assess the knowledge of 11 Hispanic mothers regarding healthy food choices and physical activity over a period of 1 year. Results There was an improvement in parental knowledge domains. Children's body mass index (BMI) stabilized at the 1‐year follow‐up in the intervention group, while the BMI increased in the nonintervention group. Outcomes included improvement in parental health knowledge and children's BMI. Practice Implications Pediatric and school nurses have a powerful role in preventive education. Knowledge gained by identifying the benefits of healthy food choices and physical activity for Hispanic mothers of obese children can be transformed into lifestyle changes for their children's weight control that begins in the home.