Recorded presentation

John P. Allegrante, PhD, Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Columbia University, Teachers College, 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, 212-678-3960, jpa1@columbia.edu and Ray Marks, EdD, Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Columbia University, Teachers College, 525 West 120th Street, Box 114, New York, NY 10027.

Background: Obesity has increased dramatically in the population at large, especially among children, during the last 15 years. Rates of obesity and being overweight are highest among African-American, Latino-American and Native-American youth, placing them at high risk for metabolic syndrome. Children who are obese have higher rates of Type 2 Diabetes and over 40% of obese children and 80% of obese teens become obese adults. The metabolic diseases that develop during childhood result in significant morbidity and mortality due to CVD in adult life. Objective: To review school-based educational initiatives to prevent or mitigate the impact of metabolic diseases in the school-aged African-American, Latino-American, and Native-American youth population. Specifically, this presentation will address the following questions: What programs exist? Do they work? What has been the impact and reach of programs that are effective? What programs are promising? What characterizes successful intervention efforts? Methods: A state-of-the-art literature review was conducted using CINAHL, COCHRANE, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PUBMED databases. All multi-component school-based obesity prevention programs were identified and reviewed. Results: Few culturally-relevant school-based intervention programs exist to prevent the onset of these diseases. Intervention methods contained in published reports are not always well described or documented and outcome measures for efficacy and effectiveness vary. Conclusion: Evaluation studies of program impact and outcome that have been reported are often mixed, although some programs demonstrate modest and potentially promising results.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session participants will be able to

• Discuss the youth obesity epidemic and its impact;
• Identify at least 3 school-based interventions programs that have been designed to reduce obesity among African, Latino and Native Americans; and
• Identify at least 1 program that works or is promising.

Keywords: Obesity, Child Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation