Online Program

281343
Effects of an obesity prevention intervention (CHILE) on physical activity and television viewing among preschool children in rural New Mexico


Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 8:50 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.

Sarah G Sanders, RN, MS, Dept of Pediatrics, Prevention Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Theresa Cruz, PhD, Dept of Pediatrics, Prevention Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Orrin Myers, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Elena O'donald, MS, Prevention Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Judith Sheche, BS, School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI
Sally M Davis, PhD, Dept of Pediatrics, Prevention Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Introduction: The ubiquitous problem of obesity must be addressed at a young age. The Child Health Initiative for Lifelong Eating and Exercise (CHILE) study tested a multi-level intervention for increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary time in children enrolled in rural Head Starts in New Mexico. Methods: Sixteen Head Start centers located in predominantly Hispanic or American Indian communities were group randomized to CHILE intervention or control status. Intervention sites received a curriculum, quarterly professional development sessions, weekly materials for parents, and bi-annual Head Start family events, all with an emphasis on increasing physical activity and decreasing television viewing time. Structured interviews regarding physical activity and television viewing behaviors in the home environment were conducted at four time-points with a subgroup of caregivers of 648 children. Multi-level modeling was used to calculate intervention effects on physical activity and television viewing time. Results: Compared with the control group, the relative change in physical activity in the intervention group was 1.49 (95% CI: 0.97 – 2.29). Dancing increased significantly (2.9; 95% CI: 1.2 – 7.1; p = 0.02) in the intervention group. Over the study period, mean hours per week of television viewing remained unchanged among the intervention group (0.3 hours + 1.1; p = 0.7) but increased significantly among the control group by 2.8 hours + 1.1 (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The CHILE intervention increased reported physical activity at home among preschool children. Utilizing a socio-ecological model to promote physical activity may prevent the decline of physical activity as children age.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe the components of the multi-level approach used in the CHILE study. Discuss the evidence-based physical activity guidelines for preschool children used in the CHILE study. Explain how this approach may be applied in other communities.

Keyword(s): Physical Activity, Head Start

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a master’s level exercise scientist, and registered nurse with 19 years of experience. For the Child Health Initiative for Lifelong Eating and Exercise (CHILE) study, I developed physical activity interventions; I trained Head Start teachers and staff in the implementation of the physical activity components of the study; I developed information for the physical activity newsletters; and, I designed and implemented physical activity components of the family intervention.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.