Gift of Health through Nutrition and Exercise

Obesity has become a major public health problem and is the focus of several nursing interventions. Families with children are prime targets for prevention, since there are strong links between obesity within families and caregiver influence on child activity and eating choices. The aim of this study, guided by Ecological System Theory, was to test the efficacy of a nutrition and exercise program (chair aerobics) targeting family dyads (caregiver-child) using a quasi-experimental pre-post test design. Forty dyads were recruited from both urban and suburban churches. Weight, blood pressure, eating habits, barriers to physical activity, family meal times, caregiver perception of child weight, and literacy were measured at baseline, post intervention, and at a 2-month follow-up. To promote family interaction regarding healthy eating and meal preparations, each participants submitted healthy recipes, which was incorporated into an easy-to-read “Gift of Health Community Cookbook,” which was distributed to the churches and participants Data are currently being analyzed. Families have reported decrease in weight and blood pressure and increase awareness and family discussion related to healthy eating and physical activity.