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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Solomon Mezgebu, MSc¹, Maria Bettencourt, MPH¹, Wee Lock Ooi, DrPH¹, Monir Hossain, MSc², and Lois Camberg, PhD, CT². (1) Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108, 617 624-5447, Solomon.Mezgebu@state.ma.us, (2) Consultant, 950 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02132

Objective: Assess the impact of nutrition and physical activity lessons combined with school-wide policy and environment change on TV watching behaviors.

Methods: This study used a group-randomized design to examine the effectiveness of a school intervention (5-2-1 Go!) that consisted of a physical activity/nutrition curriculum (Planet Health) and the CDC's School Health Index (SHI). Sixteen middle schools were randomly assigned to intervention or control. Three schools dropped out. Cohorts of 6th and 7th grade students were followed for two school years (2002 through 2004). Standardized Measures of height and weight were used to determine students' Body Mass Index. Food and physical activity questionnaire was completed by students at baseline, at 1,and 2 years later.

Results: Complete data was collected from 1622 students (n=1839 at baseline). After adjusting for age, race, number of televisions in the house, TV in child's room, and restriction on television watching, 1/3 more intervention students met the recommended levels (<2 TV hours/day) on weekdays (Monday-Thursday) (O.R.1.36; 95%CI 1.10-1.68). In addition 50% more intervention students reduced excessive TV watching (> 2 hour/day) by at least a day during a weekday (OR=1.47; 95% CI 1.14-1.87). There was no difference during weekends (Friday-Sunday).

Discussion: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends: "limiting children's total media time...to no more than 1 to 2 hours of ... a day." The 5-2-1 Go! Intervention was effective in decreasing TV watching time by at least one weekday. The data presented supports strategies using classroom lessons and school environment to help reduce TV watching.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Learn effective TV watching strategies to reduce obesity among children using school-based intervention/s.
• Learn the importance of integrating classroom lessons with school-wide policy and environment change. Understand challenges and opportunities implementing such programs
• Develop improved comprehensive evaluation and monitoring tools that are manageable at the school level.

Keywords: Obesity, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered