Childhood Obesity
Conditions
Keywords
obesity prevention, CBPR, high risk youth, school health
Brief summary
Approximately one third of the children and adolescents in the United States are either overweight or obese. Childhood obesity disproportionately affects specific racial and ethnic groups and households with low socioeconomic status and low parental education. The Alternative Learning Center (ALC) within Rochester School District 535 provides viable educational options for students who are experiencing difficulty in regular educational systems. A greater proportion of students at ALC are minorities, qualify for free and reduced lunch and receive special education services. These children are likely to have unique barriers to physical activity and healthy eating. Specific Aims: Aim 1: Examine the association between BMI and ethnic/ socioeconomic variables and behaviors related to physical activity and eating in ALC students. Aim 2: Develop an age and culturally appropriate on-site program that promotes healthy lifestyle.
Detailed description
Investigators will assess the relationship between BMI and ethnicity, socioeconomic variables and behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity among 200 ALC students. Investigators will also conduct 6 gender stratified (3 boys, 3 girls) focus groups with students (n=24), up to 3 focus groups with their parents (n=24) and one focus group with staff and volunteers in order to understand perceived barriers towards healthy weight/nutrition/physical activity. Investigators will then utilize this information to co-develop a healthy living program at ALC. Investigators will finally test the feasibility of the program they develop over a period of 3 months in ALC students. Study findings will inform further research to test the efficacy and validity of the program developed at ALC in a subsequent school based trial with the future goal of obtaining funding for cluster randomized controlled trials among other schools in the region.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALHealthy Youth Living Program
Physical activity and healthy eating program at the Alternative Learning Center co-developed by students, school staff and academic partners.
Sponsors
Rochester Alternative Learning Center
Mayo Clinic
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
12 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Rochester Alternative Learning Center students ages 12 years to 20 years * Parents/guardians of ALC students * ALC staff.
Exclusion criteria
* Inability to assent or consent to participate in the study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Behaviors related to healthy eating and physical activity | 3 months | Adoption of healthy eating choices by Rochester Alternative Learning Center students. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Weight and BMI | 6 and 12 months after intervention | After students participate in the healthy living program we will measure weight and BMI to evaluate change |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed