The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3162.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 1

Abstract #48945

A Paternal Approach to Positive Adolescent Nutrition and Exercise Behaviors

Torrance T. Brown, MPH1, Robert E. Bailey II2, Colleen DiIorio, PhD, RN1, Pamela Denzmore, MPH1, Phillip Williams, BS1, Patrice D. Lee, MS1, Tricia Hall, BS1, Ruth Bedell, MS1, Terry Wang, MPH1, Frances McCarty, PhD1, Janet Qi, MPH1, Ervin Reeder1, and Jamar Barnes1. (1) Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Rd, Rm. 264, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404.712.9736, ttbrown2@hotmail.com, (2) Department of Behavioral Sciences & Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Room 564, Atlanta, GA 30322

Despite numerous studies that cite physical inactivity and poor nutrition as a leading cause of premature death, obesity rates are higher than ever before. According to1999 data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an estimated 13 percent of children ages 6-11 years and 14 percent of adolescents ages 12-19 years are overweight. Alarmingly, the number of adolescents who are overweight has nearly tripled from 5 to 14 percent in the past two decades. Several studies report that overweight children and adolescents are at greater risk of becoming overweight adults. In general, men and racial and ethnic minority groups have higher prevalence of obesity and burden of chronic disease associated with poor nutrition and physical inactivity.

The Surgeon General recently identified families and communities as one solution to address overweight and obesity. Few studies address fathers' roles in adolescent nutrition and exercise behaviors and the literature that speaks to the role of African American fathers in adolescent nutrition and physical activity is virtually nonexistent.

In an attempt to reduce adolescent obesity, an exercise and nutrition intervention tailored for African American fathers and father figures was developed. Vested in Social Cognitive Theory, the intervention seeks to determine if the exercise and nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral capabilities of African American Adolescent boys ages 11-14, whose fathers have completed an interactive nutrition and exercise focused intervention, are different from African American Adolescent boys ages 11-14 whose fathers have not completed an interactive nutrition and exercise focused intervention.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

Keywords: African American, Nutrition

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.

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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA