Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108257

Anita Keneipp, MS, State Funded Programs/Health Education Department, Health Net of California, Inc., 1055 E.Colorado Blvd. #300, Pasadena, CA 91105, 626 683 6488, anita.keneipp@health.net and Nancy Wongvipat, MPH, State Health Programs, Health Education Department, Health Net of California, Inc., 1055 E. Colorado Blvd. Suite 300, Pasadena, CA 91106.

The prevalence of overweight in children and adolescents has significantly increased over the past two decades, with the most recent national data at 10.4%-15.5% among 2- through 19-year-olds and an alarming 23% among non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American adolescents. Ensuring that overweight individuals receive appropriate preventive care can have substantial health benefits by reducing morbidity associated with diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancer, stroke, eating disorders and depressive symptoms, and its associated health care costs. Research has also shown that one of the most effective behavioral intervention programs have certain components that result in successful long-term weight loss. Parent involvement; frequent follow-up which include individual behavioral counseling; monitoring physical activity, meal planning, goal setting. Improving the communication between adolescents who are overweight and their parents have also shown to have a positive impact on the health-related behaviors and psychosocial well-being of the adolescent. The 5 week home learning module has been offered to families who do not meet the structured program criteria but have tried the structured component of Health Nets family based home learning module of the WEIGHT MANAGEMENT – BE IN CHARGE!sm PROGRAM. Outcomes will be shared of this pilot project which will include pre and post intervention information.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the session participants will be able to

• Describe the challenges and opportunities of utilizing a family based home learning weight management program.
• List behavior changes of participating families.
• Assess the feasibility of the home base program and other approaches in different settings.

Keywords: Behavior Modification, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.