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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #239573
Title: Changes in physical activity levels following 12-week family intervention in Hispanic girls: Bounce study

Author
item BUSH, JILL - University Of Houston
item ABUAMER, DIANA - University Of Houston
item GRAHAM, MARILYNN - University Of Houston
item LORINO, ANDREW - University Of Houston
item MALDONADO, GABRIELA - University Of Houston
item SCHERER, RHONDA - University Of Houston
item BUTTE, NANCY - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item OLVERA, NORMA - University Of Houston

Submitted to: Medicine and Science in Exercise and Sports
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2008
Publication Date: 5/1/2008
Citation: Bush, J.A., Abuamer, D., Graham, M., Lorino, A., Maldonado, G., Scherer, R., Butte, N., Olvera, N. 2008. Changes in physical activity levels following 12-week family intervention in Hispanic girls: Bounce study [abstract]. Medicine and Science in Exercise and Sports. 40(5):S409-S410(Suppl. 1).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pediatric obesity is a major health problem among Hispanic girls. Physical activity guidelines recommend that children engage in at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous activity daily. To examine the changes in physical activity level pre- and post-intervention. Hispanic girls in control (CG; N=26, 8.8 +/- 1.1y; 54.3 +/- 17.9kg) and exercise group (EG; N=27, 8.8 +/- 8.8 y, 44.4 +/- 12.6kg) wore Actical physical activity monitors on 2 weekdays pre and post-intervention. The monitors were placed above the right iliac crest, under the shirt, and secured in place around the waist with a velcro strap. Data were analyzed using software to cumulate total counts and the number of minutes spent at each intensity level during pre and post-intervention was determined (thresholds for sedentary=100; light=1500; and moderate=6500 counts/min). Girls in EG participated in an aerobic exercise program 3d per wk for 12wks while girls in CG had no structured exercise. Two-way repeated ANOVA with significance set at p<0.05 was used. EG had significantly higher total counts pre (665,238 v 398,950 counts/d) and post (731,850 v 566,214 counts/d) vs CG with no difference pre to post for EG. Similarly, girls in EG spent more time engaged in moderate intensity activity pre (133 v 62 min/d) to post (135 v 83 min/d) vs CG with no different pre to post for EG. Although EG did not significantly increase moderate activity level pre to post-study, the data showed that participating in 12wk BOUNCE program allowed for significantly more moderate intensity levels vs CG. The controls, however, increased the moderate activity post-study, mostly attributed to participation in after-school extracurricular program outside of the study. Future studies should include a longer monitoring period including weekend days with a greater control for extracurricular activities. Furthermore, more emphasis needs to be placed on activities of both moderate and vigorous intensity during leisure time so young children can receive healthy benefits from these types of programs.