School-based dietary, nutrition education, and physical activity interventions improve body mass index percentiles: Preliminary results the HOPS Study

Introduction: The Healthier Options for Public Schoolchildren (HOPS) Study aims to understand the efficacy of dietary, nutrition education, and physical activity interventions in the elementary school setting. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that HOPS Study interventions reduce obesity rates more so than traditional school-based dietary and physical activities. Methods: The HOPS Study was implemented in fall 2004 and includes approximately 3,200 children (48% Hispanic; 1,549 out of 3,247) attending six elementary schools (4 intervention; 2 control). Data are collected at baseline/fall and follow-up/spring (demographic information, height, weight, BMI percentiles, sedentary behavior and food consumption data). HOPS Study interventions include modified dietary offerings, nutrition and lifestyle educational curricula, school gardens, and other school-based wellness projects, with the goal of reducing childhood obesity rates in a manner that is replicable in other public school settings. Results: Overall, 2005-2006 data show statistically significant differences between treatment groups with respect to changes in age- and gender-specific body mass index (BMI) percentiles [intervention: mean change=-1.73, std dev=13.55; control: mean change=-.47, std dev-12.09; p-.007]. Analyses of subgroups show statistically significant differences between intervention groups for BMI risk groups as well as some quintiles, when controlling for one control school with a particularly rigorous physical activity program [table deleted due to space restrictions]. Conclusions: Early results show HOPS Study interventions improve BMI percentiles of elementary-aged children. Additional data collection and analyses, over time, will provide important data to inform school-based obesity prevention strategies.