ARS | Publication request: School-based weight management: outcomes with Mexican American adolescents

Submitted to: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 29, 2006
Publication Date: November 29, 2006
Citation: Johnston, C.A., Tyler, C., Fullerton, G., Carvalho, S.M., Poston, W.C., Haddock, C.K., Foreyt, J.P. 2006. School-based weight management: Outcomes with Mexican American adolescents [abstract]. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 13(Supplement):131-132.

Technical Abstract: Rates of childhood overweight have increased significantly in the past 20 years, with the highest rates in Mexican Americans. Schools have been identified as an optimal setting for prevention efforts; however, few intervention programs have demonstrated decreases in BMI percentile. The current study evaluated an extended school day weight reduction program for Mexican American adolescents in the United States. A total of 68 participants (35 males) between the ages of 10 and 14 who exceeded the 85th percentile for BMI were randomized into an intensive intervention (II) or a self-help (SH) condition. The II condition (n=43) received education in nutrition and lifestyle change techniques once weekly and instruction in physical activity 4 times weekly. This phase of the intervention lasted for 12 weeks, with 12 weeks of maintenance. Monthly family meetings were also held. All classes were led by program staff. The SH condition (n=25) received a book that focused on nutrition, lifestyle change techniques, and physical activity. The 12 weeks of lessons and maintenance sessions were led by parents. An analysis of covariance was conducted using change in BMI standardized for age and gender (z-BMI) as the dependent variable and baseline z-BMI as the covariate. Results indicated that children in the II significantly reduced their z-BMI when compared to adolescents in the SH condition at 6 months (F(1,65)=9.38,p=.003). Results are promising and suggest that an extended school day program may be an effective means for promoting weight loss in Mexican American adolescents.