ARS | Publication request: Weight management for Mexican American adolescents: school-based program

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 28, 2007
Publication Date: April 28, 2007
Citation: Johnston, C.A., Tyler, C., Carvalho, S., El-Mubasher, A., Poston, W.C., Haddock, C.K., Reeves, R., Foreyt, J.P. 2007. Weight management for Mexican American adolescents: School-based program [abstract]. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal. 21(5):A325.

Technical Abstract: The objective of the current study was to assess change in weight over time for children participating in a school-based weight management program. A total of 47 participants 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. II (n=31) 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 9 months of maintenance. All classes were led by program staff. SH (n=16) received a book that focused on nutrition, lifestyle change techniques, and physical activity. There were 12 lessons and maintenance sessions were led by parents. A repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted using BMI standardized for age and gender (zBMI) at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months as the dependent variables. Results indicated that children in II significantly reduced their zBMI compared to those in SH (F (3,38)=8.98, p<.001). Post-hoc tests revealed significant changes between II and SH at each time interval (p<.05). Results are promising and suggest that an extended school day program may be an effective means for promoting weight loss in Mexican American adolescents.