Recorded presentation

Christina D. Economos, PhD¹, Jessica J. Collins, MS¹, Jeanne Goldberg, PhD, RD², Aviva Must, PhD³, Elena N. Naumova, PhD³, and Miriam Nelson, PhD¹. (1) Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition / John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Tufts University, 150 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, 617-636-3784, christina.economos@tufts.edu, (2) Center on Nutrition Communication, Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition, Tufts University, 150 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, (3) Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111

Shape Up Somerville: Eat Smart. Play Hard. is an environmental change intervention to prevent obesity in ethnically diverse, high-risk, early elementary school children in Somerville, Massachusetts. Two communities with similar demographics serve as controls. In Somerville, nearly half (46%) of the 600 1-3 graders (mean age = 8.3 y old), are at risk for overweight or are overweight (> 85th percentile for BMI-for-age). Hispanic students have the highest rate (59%), followed by multi-racial (54%), white (44%) and black (36%). BMI-for-age is significantly higher in third graders compared with first graders (p<0.05). Physical activity and nutrition intervention elements target both sides of the energy balance equation and include classroom and after school program curriculums, monthly taste-test events during school breakfast and lunch, improved nutrient profiles of food served during school, and numerous physical activity opportunities, including a walk-to-school initiative, that will create a reduction of 125 kcals per day. Community-based strategies include targeting local restaurants, pediatrician outreach, health forums for ethnic communities, attracting political appointee buy-in and local media coverage, encouraging increased family activity and discouraging “screen time” at home. We monitored change in BMI z-score among Somerville and control community children during the planning year. We will compare the change in BMI z-score between intervention and control school children over the intervention year and for one year of follow up. Somerville will serve as a model community that paves the way for cost-effective nationwide environmental action to prevent obesity at the local level.

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