Active Intervention and Dietary Education Program to Reduce Obesity in Hispanic Male Children

This study used an Active Intervention and Dietary Education Program (AIDE) to examine the effectiveness of a dietary education and exercise program over a period of 10 weeks among Hispanic male children in Laredo, Texas. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned into three groups – Control (no education or exercise), Education (pedometer and dietary education), and Training (pedometer, dietary education, and exercise) with a sample of n=10 in each group. Dietary Education will be provided once every other week by a nutritional expert. It consists of explaining major nutrients, the food pyramid, healthy food options, and teaching how to read a food label. A personal daily diet log (three days per week for before during and after intervention) was used to assess the dietary pattern. A pedometer was used to measure the level of physical activity and exercise training was conducted individually or in small group basis with personal trainers at least three times per week for 10 weeks. Survey and clinical data (blood chemistry and lipid profile) along with anthropometric measures were assessed before and after the intervention. Preliminary result indicated intervention in the Training group improved perceptions of healthy eating (as very important), decreased % body fat, increased average steps taken per day group, changed clinical parameters (improvement in HDL, and lowering triglycerides) as compared to the Control and Education group. Visceral fat was slightly decreased only in Training group with no significant changes in the Education and Control group. Results have implications for obesity prevention programs in Hispanic children.