This study was designed to asssess the effectiveness of a school-based intervention program on the reduction of risk factors for type II diabetes in school-age Mexican-American children. The Bienestar Health Program was administered to 4th grade students (n=172) in five elementary schools in San Antonio, Texas in 1998-1999 school year. Four other schools were used as control (n=173). Grounded on social-cognitive theory, the Bienestar was developed to enhance student's efficacy to adopt a healthy lifestyle against risks for early onset of diabetes. The program had four components: classroom health curriculum, school cafeteria program, after-school health club, and parental health education. To examine the effect of Bienestar, MANCOVA was performed on the pre- and post-test change scores of the Harvard Fitness test, body mass index, and nutritional intakes with experimental condition and student's gender as independent variables and student's age as a covariate. The results indicated students in the experimental schools reduced dietary fat intake (M=-6.53, SD=29.95 vs. M=2.84, SD=28.15, p< .001) and improved fitness level (M=2.94, SD=9.81 vs M=-.04, SD=11.15, p< .008)in comparison to students in the control schools (F(8,333)=3.56, p< .001). Gender did not have an impact. The results are discussed in terms of unique programming features and future directions for continuing this intervention.
Learning Objectives: "As a result of this poster session participants will be able to: 1. Describe the nature of the Bienestar Program." 2. Describe the successfulness of the program in terms of specific outcomes." 3. Describe the potential applications of Bienestar theory and practice to other similiar settings
Keywords: Diabetes, Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.