Preventing Weight Gain in Children Who Are School Age and African-American

摘要

Purpose: To describe a health and weight management intervention for children who are African American. Methods: Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and fitness levels were measured in 222 students (kindergarten-eighth grade) from 2 schools (control and intervention). Baseline and outcome data were collected over the course of 2 academic years. The intervention group received education on good nutrition and active lifestyle. Intervention students were also given the Body Figure Perception Questionnaire. Results: Students in the intervention group who were obese/overweight were more likely to be less physically fit. The greater the intervention students' BMI, the larger the difference between their ideal and real body images. Intervention students' BMIs were maintained. The intervention group's posttest scores of knowledge about active lifestyle and good nutrition were significantly higher than their pretest scores and higher than the control group's scores. Conclusions: Weight gain prevention holds promise for reducing risk of overweight/obesity in the African-American population.