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Title: Dissemination of an effective weight management program for Mexican American children in schools

Author
item JENNETTE, PALCIC - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item JOHNSTON, CRAIG - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item BRESLIN, WHITNEY - University Of Houston
item EL-MUBASHER, ABEER - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item FOREYT, JOHN - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2012
Publication Date: 4/1/2012
Citation: Jennette, P., Johnston, C.A., Breslin, W., El-Mubasher, A., Foreyt, J.P. 2012. Dissemination of an effective weight management program for Mexican American children in schools [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 26:246.4.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: 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 (zBMI) in overweight children. Our next step was to examine the ability of Physical Education teachers to implement this program (dissemination condition (DS)). The current study sought to examine the efficacy of our intervention led by a PE teacher. 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 it was led by a PE teacher. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to evaluate weight changes using zBMI from baseline to 3, 6, and 12 months. Students in both conditions significantly decreased their zBMI at 3, 6, and 12 months (F=50.7, p < .0001). Independently, both conditions demonstrated a significant decrease in zBMI 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). 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.