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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Nora Gimpel, MD¹, Mark DeHaven, Ph D¹, Jo Ann Carson, PhD, RD, LD², Cindy Cunningham, MS², Christina Smith, MS, RD³, Michelle Lee¹, Richard C. Luttrell⁴, and Deborah Owens³. (1) Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6263 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, 214 648 1046, mark.dehaven@utsouthwestern.edu, (2) Clinical Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390, (3) Food and Child Nutrition Services, Dallas Independent School District, 8900 Old Hickory Trail, Dallas, TX 75237, (4) Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, P.O. Box 660044, Dallas, TX 75226

We conducted a community-based participatory research (CBPR) study between a medical school, a public school system, and a large health insurance company. The study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of students, caregivers, and teachers about children's eating habits and physical activity patterns related to pediatric obesity.

Qualitative data were gathered from third grade students (N=46) and caregivers (N=27) using focus groups, and teachers (N=77) via a web-based survey. Student and caregiver samples were representative of the school system's demographics; the vast majority was below 200% of poverty (77%), and the sample was equal parts African-American (45%) and Hispanic (45%). All third grade teachers were invited to participate.

Children were well informed about the health value of different foods and the benefits of healthy behaviors, but tended to select unhealthy foods and were physically inactive. Parents believed that although their children know what foods are healthy, they do not apply their knowledge and select unhealthy foods based on peer pressure. Parents desired to become role models of healthy living for their children, but tended to be overweight or obese (78%) themselves. Parents and the vast majority of teachers (93%) felt schools could be doing more to reduce childhood obesity. All three groups identified sedentary lifestyles as the most significant barrier to reducing obesity. The findings indicate support for school involvement in reducing childhood obesity, and that approaches to the problem should take into account the actions of both children and those who reinforce children's behaviors.

Learning Objectives:

• 1) Discuss the role of the public school in reducing and preventing childhood obesity.
• 2) Analyze the effectiveness of a community-based participatory research model to reduce childhood obesity.
• 3) Recognize the need of implementing an effective and culturally appropriate approach to assess facilitators and barriers to a healthier lifestyle

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Children's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation