Effects of a School-Based Intervention on BMI z-Scores and Fitness Parameters in Mississippi Delta Children
<strong>Background and Objectives:</strong> Although Mississippi is making modest progress in childhood obesity prevention and reduction; most of the recent benefits are seen in white children. The purpose of Eating good and moving like we should (EGMLWS), a school-based intervention was...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
2017-07-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of School Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45118_f5047864e441132ac98fe0a4160594c9.pdf |
| _version_ | 1828318136548458496 |
|---|---|
| author | Kathy B. Knight Janie W. Cole Lacy M. Dodd Charlotte B. Oakley |
| author_facet | Kathy B. Knight Janie W. Cole Lacy M. Dodd Charlotte B. Oakley |
| author_sort | Kathy B. Knight |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <strong>Background and Objectives:</strong> Although Mississippi is making modest progress in childhood obesity prevention and reduction; most of the recent benefits are seen in white children. The purpose of Eating good and moving like we should (EGMLWS), a school-based intervention was to create a successful program to prevent and reduce childhood obesity in the Mississippi Delta, among mostly African American students.
<strong>Methods:</strong> The program worked with third grades in 7 schools. It provided curricula, started school gardens, and school menu consultation. BMI s-scores were calculated and Fitnessgram parameters were measured, including 20-m progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER) and back-saver sit-and-reach (BSSR). Demographic and beginning heights and weights were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Pre- and post-intervention BMI z-scores and Fitnessgram scores for each school were compared using paired t-test.
<strong>Results:</strong> Mean BMI z-scores were significantly lowered in 2 schools, not changed in 4 schools and increased in 2, although all schools had individuals with decreased BMI z-scores. PACER scores increased in 5 of 7 schools while sit-and-reach left and right scores increased in 5 and 6 of the 7 schools, respectively. All schools improved in at least one PACER measure, and 3 schools improved across all measures.
<strong>Conclusions:</strong> After one school year in EGMLWS, north MS Delta third graders improved in both the PACER and sit-and-reach components of Fitnessgram assessment. BMI z-scores were lowered in 2 schools and remained the same in 4 schools. Also, BMI-z-scores did not rise over all schools and there was some lowering of BMI z-scores in every school, which was encouragement that school-based interventions can favorably impact BMI and fitness in primarily African American populations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T17:37:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-37c58f29886140d587f7bc9d8394376a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2345-5152 2383-1219 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T17:37:37Z |
| publishDate | 2017-07-01 |
| publisher | Shiraz University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of School Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-37c58f29886140d587f7bc9d8394376a2022-12-22T02:37:17ZengShiraz University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of School Health2345-51522383-12192017-07-01431810.5812/intjsh.1379345118Effects of a School-Based Intervention on BMI z-Scores and Fitness Parameters in Mississippi Delta ChildrenKathy B. Knight0Janie W. Cole1Lacy M. Dodd2Charlotte B. Oakley3Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USADepartment of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USADepartment of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USADepartment of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA<strong>Background and Objectives:</strong> Although Mississippi is making modest progress in childhood obesity prevention and reduction; most of the recent benefits are seen in white children. The purpose of Eating good and moving like we should (EGMLWS), a school-based intervention was to create a successful program to prevent and reduce childhood obesity in the Mississippi Delta, among mostly African American students. <strong>Methods:</strong> The program worked with third grades in 7 schools. It provided curricula, started school gardens, and school menu consultation. BMI s-scores were calculated and Fitnessgram parameters were measured, including 20-m progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER) and back-saver sit-and-reach (BSSR). Demographic and beginning heights and weights were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Pre- and post-intervention BMI z-scores and Fitnessgram scores for each school were compared using paired t-test. <strong>Results:</strong> Mean BMI z-scores were significantly lowered in 2 schools, not changed in 4 schools and increased in 2, although all schools had individuals with decreased BMI z-scores. PACER scores increased in 5 of 7 schools while sit-and-reach left and right scores increased in 5 and 6 of the 7 schools, respectively. All schools improved in at least one PACER measure, and 3 schools improved across all measures. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> After one school year in EGMLWS, north MS Delta third graders improved in both the PACER and sit-and-reach components of Fitnessgram assessment. BMI z-scores were lowered in 2 schools and remained the same in 4 schools. Also, BMI-z-scores did not rise over all schools and there was some lowering of BMI z-scores in every school, which was encouragement that school-based interventions can favorably impact BMI and fitness in primarily African American populations.http://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45118_f5047864e441132ac98fe0a4160594c9.pdfschoolbased interventionexercisepediatricsobesityphysical activityfitnessgram assessment |
| spellingShingle | Kathy B. Knight Janie W. Cole Lacy M. Dodd Charlotte B. Oakley Effects of a School-Based Intervention on BMI z-Scores and Fitness Parameters in Mississippi Delta Children International Journal of School Health school based intervention exercise pediatrics obesity physical activity fitnessgram assessment |
| title | Effects of a School-Based Intervention on BMI z-Scores and Fitness Parameters in Mississippi Delta Children |
| title_full | Effects of a School-Based Intervention on BMI z-Scores and Fitness Parameters in Mississippi Delta Children |
| title_fullStr | Effects of a School-Based Intervention on BMI z-Scores and Fitness Parameters in Mississippi Delta Children |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of a School-Based Intervention on BMI z-Scores and Fitness Parameters in Mississippi Delta Children |
| title_short | Effects of a School-Based Intervention on BMI z-Scores and Fitness Parameters in Mississippi Delta Children |
| title_sort | effects of a school based intervention on bmi z scores and fitness parameters in mississippi delta children |
| topic | school based intervention exercise pediatrics obesity physical activity fitnessgram assessment |
| url | http://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45118_f5047864e441132ac98fe0a4160594c9.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kathybknight effectsofaschoolbasedinterventiononbmizscoresandfitnessparametersinmississippideltachildren AT janiewcole effectsofaschoolbasedinterventiononbmizscoresandfitnessparametersinmississippideltachildren AT lacymdodd effectsofaschoolbasedinterventiononbmizscoresandfitnessparametersinmississippideltachildren AT charlotteboakley effectsofaschoolbasedinterventiononbmizscoresandfitnessparametersinmississippideltachildren |