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Title: VIVA LA SALUD INFANTILE: Pediatric obesity treatment in an underserved Hispanic community

Author
item WILSON, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item BUTTE, NANCY - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item MEHTA, NITESH - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item ARCEO, DIANA - Baylor College Of Medicine
item BUSH, JILL - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item OLVERA, NORMA - University Of Houston
item KLISH, WILLIAM - Baylor College Of Medicine

Submitted to: Obesity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2008
Publication Date: 10/1/2008
Citation: Wilson, T., Butte, N., Mehta, N., Arceo, D., Bush, J., Olvera, N., Klish, W. 2008. VIVA LA SALUD INFANTILE: Pediatric obesity treatment in an underserved Hispanic community [abstract]. Obesity. 16:864-P(Suppl. 1).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pediatric obesity in the US disproportionately impacts minority populations who face socioeconomic and cultural barriers to weight management programs. The specific aim of this pilot study was to test the effectiveness of diet behavior modification or diet behavior modification plus structured aerobic exercise for weight loss and improvement in comorbidity risk in a cohort of Hispanic children. Twenty-four obese Hispanic children (7-12 yo) were randomly assigned to 4-month VIVA LA SALUD INFANTILE (VLSI) weekly consultations with or without structured aerobic exercise 3X/wk. Assessments include child interviews, anthropometry, body composition, and fasting blood chemistries. Twenty-one out of 24 enrolled subjects completed the program. The overall attendance rates for VLSI Consultations and VLSI+Exercise were 94% and 84%, respectively. Weight and fat mass loss tended to be higher in VLSI+Exercise group (-3.3 +/- 2.7, -2.8 +/- 4.2 kg) than in VLSI (-2.2 +/- 2.3, -1.9 +/- 1.8 kg). Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory showed significant improvements (P=0.04) for all subjects. School Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey indicated increased nutrition knowledge and use of healthful foods. Fasting levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, ALT, leptin, IL-6, and TNF-a decreased with weight loss, although no significant differences were seen between treatment groups. Improvement in weight status, psychosocial state, and comorbidity risk in these underserved Hispanic children indicates that VIVA LA SALUD INFANTILE is a potential community program for effective treatment of pediatric obesity.