The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48509

MJ murphy, NP¹, Lorraine Tiezzi, MS², and Roger Vaughan, DrPH². (1) Center for Community Health and Education, Columbia University, 60 Haven Ave, Level B-3, New York, NY 10032, 2121 304-5201, maryjoan_m@yahoo.com, (2) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Ave., B3, New York, NY 10032

It has been estimated (NHANES, 1999) that 61 percent of adults in the US are overweight or obese (those with BMI „d 25); the proportion classified as obese has increased from an estimated 15 percent in 1980 to nearly 27 percent in 1999. It is also estimated that approximately 13 percent of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. The list of health risks associated with obesity is extensive, including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, CHD, stroke, and depression. Many of the lifestyle, health and behavioral practices that lead to obesity and subsequent complications begin in childhood. As such, we began a behavior modification program for children (ages 10-13) in one urban, predominately Hispanic junior high school.

To assess the magnitude of the problem, we screened 2,271 children. In addition to heights and weights, we administered a brief health survey related to risk factors for obesity (e.g. eating habits, body image, exercise, TV watching). Preliminary results indicated that nearly one-quarter of adolescents were classified as obese, the majority of those ate fast food at least once a week, and half indicated watching 4 or more hours of TV per day. We began a ten-week behavior modification program (based on the SHAPEDOWN curriculum) which met twice a week after school for two hours and included both educational and exercise components. We recorded weekly measurements of weight, skinfold thickness, blood pressure, cholesterol, and exercise benchmarks. We will share the feasibility & acceptability aspects of this program, as well as biomedical outcomes for participants.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this session, participants will be able to describe the childhood obesity rates, recognize the effectiveness of this program, and apply the results of this study to other health programs.

Keywords: Obesity, Adolescent Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.