Baseline data from the implementation of an elementary school obesity prevention program in Harris County, Texas

Given child obesity is a growing problem in the U.S., several communities have attempted to implement obesity prevention programs; however, most of these efforts have been in relatively small communities without objective evaluation data. In August, 2005, a two-year initiative in was developed to disseminate the Coordinated Approach To Child Health (CATCH) to the 22 school districts in the Harris County area through the Steps to a Healthier Houston-Harris County Consortium. The objective of this presentation is to provide baseline data from the evaluation of this project. Outcome measures include System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) to determine the time school children spend in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in school, weighed heights and weights to determine body mass index (BMI), and information on dietary and physical activity habits as assessed by a validated questionnaire. Baseline data for BMI and dietary and activity habits were collected from 14 Harris County schools in Fall, 2005, and data collection is underway for an additional 45 schools to be completed by February 2007. SOFIT data have been collected from 42 schools. Of 116 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes observed, 38.5% of class time was spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, which is less than the 50% MVPA recommended in Healthy People 2010. In addition, 25.6% of class time was spent in class management. Preliminary data collected at baseline indicate a need for implementation of a Coordinated School Health program for obesity prevention that includes increasing MVPA physical activity during school.