Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1: No longer applies Objective 2: Develop and pilot test interventions to increase and sustain physical activity at a level consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DG) in urban African- and Mexican-American children. Sub- objective 2A: Determine if adherence to the physical activity component of the DG is associated with a lower incidence of overweight/obesity in urban African- and Mexican-American children. Sub-objective 2B: Develop and pilot test an intervention with urban African- and Mexican-American children to increase physical activity consistent with the DG recommendation. Specifically, physical activity will be operationally defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity. Sub-objective 2C: Develop and pilot test a maintenance program with urban African- and Mexican-American children to sustain physical activity consistent with the DG recommendation. Specifically, physical activity will be operationally defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity. Approach (from AD-416): A sample of 200 African- or Mexican-American middle school children (i.e., 6th � 8th grade; aged 10-15 years will be recruited from a Houston charter school to provide data on their participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Measured body composition (i.e., height, weight, BMI, percent body fat) will be collected. This study will examine children's free-living participation in physical activity (PA) to determine if these behaviors are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DG) (i.e., 60 minutes of MVPA most days of the week). A questionnaire will be administered identifying PA barriers and facilitators to help determine activities most likely to encourage continued participation in PA. Subjects will be assessed to determine their level of adherence to PA that is consistent with the DG. Overall, the results of this research study showed that only 3% of the participants met dietary guidelines recommendations for 60 minutes of physical activity during weekdays and 5% of the participants met dietary guidelines recommendations during weekends. Specifically, during weekdays (Monday through Friday) participants engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity for 44 minutes on average. During weekends (Saturday and Sunday) they engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity for 55 minutes on average. While few children are meeting the full recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity per day, the average number of minutes of physical activity suggests that children are approximating the goal, particularly on weekends. Additionally, body composition data and the results demonstrated that the level of moderate to vigorous physical activity was not related to standardized body mass index (zBMI). However, participation in hard to very hard physical activity decreased as zBMI and percent body fat increased. We also collected and analyzed data regarding barriers and facilitators to physical activity. Homework and a preference to watch television were reported as the most common barriers to physical activity. Due to these barriers, we modified our intervention to increase physical activity during the school day and gradually decrease the time spent watching television, playing videogames, and being on the computer. As reported previously, children in our intervention significantly increased their levels of physical activity and decreased weight-based outcomes compared to children in the control condition over the course of a year. One of the most important aspects of health-based research is to consider the long-term maintenance of effects. In our study, children who received the physical activity intervention maintained improvements in weight-based outcomes at 2 years. These participants also maintained increased levels of physical activity. It is likely that the incorporation of behavior modification strategies and alteration of the school environment greatly supported sustained increases in physical activity which, in turn, resulted in changes in lifestyle behaviors that were successfully maintained long-term. During this year, we analyzed markers for various diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in the blood. Our results revealed that obese participants had elevated concentrations of several markers which are contributors to disease in adulthood. This is concerning as these indicators of disease are being found in high concentrations in relatively young children (i.e., 10-12 years old). Additionally, our results showed that several changes in these disease markers improved during the active intervention while others persisted during the maintenance phase of the program. Finding ways to improve levels of these persistent disease markers in children is an area of importance. We also engaged in efforts to disseminate information regarding our efficacious intervention program so that other professionals may utilize it. During the last year of the project, we published six articles and four abstracts, and presented at local and national meetings describing the impact of our intervention program and lessons learned. Additionally, we participated in various conferences and meetings with the purpose of describing practical information related to implementing our intervention. Accomplishments 01 Physical activity intervention program impacts biomarkers of disease. The rate of obesity is particularly high among Mexican American children, putting them at an even greater risk for developing chronic health problems. Researchers at the Children's Nutrition Research Center in Houston, Texas, developed an intervention program that has shown efficacy in increasing and maintaining physical activity (PA) in children and that meets the dietary guidelines recommendation for PA. This 24-week program met each school day for 45 minutes; the children moved to different activities that ranged from strengthening activities to games once every 2 minutes (i.e., a circuit training approach). Researchers examined the impact of this program on various new markers found in the blood and identified that obese Mexican American children had elevated blood concentrations of various markers of disease; this is important because these biomarkers are linked to chronic disease development in adults. We demonstrated that weight-related outcomes were improved for students participating in this PA intervention and that these disease markers were improved, resulting in a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. With children spending a large portion of their day in school, it is believed that school- based interventions offer a viable and effective way to address this health concern.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1: No longer applies Objective 2: Develop and pilot test interventions to increase and sustain physical activity at a level consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DG) in urban African- and Mexican-American children. Sub- objective 2A: Determine if adherence to the physical activity component of the DG is associated with a lower incidence of overweight/obesity in urban African- and Mexican-American children. Sub-objective 2B: Develop and pilot test an intervention with urban African- and Mexican-American children to increase physical activity consistent with the DG recommendation. Specifically, physical activity will be operationally defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity. Sub-objective 2C: Develop and pilot test a maintenance program with urban African- and Mexican-American children to sustain physical activity consistent with the DG recommendation. Specifically, physical activity will be operationally defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity. Approach (from AD-416): A sample of 200 African- or Mexican-American middle school children (i.e., 6th � 8th grade; aged 10-15 years will be recruited from a Houston charter school to provide data on their participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Measured body composition (i.e., height, weight, BMI, percent body fat) will be collected. This study will examine children's free-living participation in physical activity (PA) to determine if these behaviors are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DG) (i.e., 60 minutes of MVPA most days of the week). A questionnaire will be administered identifying PA barriers and facilitators to help determine activities most likely to encourage continued participation in PA. Subjects will be assessed to determine their level of adherence to PA that is consistent with the DG. Children's Nutrition Research Center researchers found similar results for the second phase participants as with the first phase participants. We assessed the level of physical activity for 100 phase two participants (for sub-objective 2B) using accelerometry. During weekdays (Monday through Friday) participants engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity for 44 minutes on average. During weekends (Saturday and Sunday) they engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity for 55 minutes on average. Only 3% of the participants met dietary guidelines recommendations for 60 minutes of physical activity during weekdays, and 5% of the participants met dietary guidelines recommendations during weekends. While few children are meeting the full recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity per day, the average number of minutes of physical activity suggests that children are approximating the goal, particularly on weekends. It appears that greater efforts are needed to increase physical activity during the weekdays when children are in school. We analyzed body composition data, and the results revealed that while the level of moderate to vigorous physical activity was not related to standardized body mass index (zBMI), participation in hard to very hard physical activity decreased as zBMI and percent body fat increased. A sample of 200 students have been recruited to participate in a physical activity intervention. In order to meet dietary guidelines recommendations of 60 minutes of physical activity daily, this intervention was aimed at increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity in the participants. This intervention was also shown to significantly reduce the rate of weight gain. Additionally, data regarding the barriers and facilitators to physical activity were collected from this group of participants. Homework and a preference to watch television were reported as the most common barriers to physical activity. Due to these barriers, the intervention was modified to increase physical activity during the school day and gradually decrease time spent watching television, playing videogames, and being on the computer. Students who received the intervention increased their participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity. A sample of 100 students from objective 2B (for sub-objective 2C) were recruited to participate in a follow-up program designed to maintain increased levels of physical activity long term. We are in the process of collecting data regarding the maintenance of these increased levels of physical activity over this 3-year period. Accomplishments 01 Minority children meet Dietary Guidelines for physical activity. The current dietary guidelines recommend that children engage in 60 minutes of physical activity daily. However, children are engaging in considerably less physical activity now than they were 20 years ago, and this decrease coincides with increased prevalence of obesity in youth. Scientists at the Children's Nutrition Research Center in Houston, Texas, have developed a program to increase physical activity in children in order to meet dietary guideline recommendations for physical activity. We were able to demonstrate that the participants of the treatment group not only improved their physical activity levels but also maintained these levels over time. This is particularly important for minority children who are at greater risk for obesity- related health problems. These results have important implications for future policy development.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1: No longer applies Objective 2: Develop and pilot test interventions to increase and sustain physical activity at a level consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DG) in urban African- and Mexican-American children. Sub- objective 2A: Determine if adherence to the physical activity component of the DG is associated with a lower incidence of overweight/obesity in urban African- and Mexican-American children. Sub-objective 2B: Develop and pilot test an intervention with urban African- and Mexican-American children to increase physical activity consistent with the DG recommendation. Specifically, physical activity will be operationally defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity. Sub-objective 2C: Develop and pilot test a maintenance program with urban African- and Mexican-American children to sustain physical activity consistent with the DG recommendation. Specifically, physical activity will be operationally defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity. Approach (from AD-416): A sample of 200 African- or Mexican-American middle school children (i.e., 6th � 8th grade; aged 10-15 years will be recruited from a Houston charter school to provide data on their participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Measured body composition (i.e., height, weight, BMI, percent body fat) will be collected. This study will examine children's free-living participation in physical activity (PA) to determine if these behaviors are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DG) (i.e., 60 minutes of MVPA most days of the week). A questionnaire will be administered identifying PA barriers and facilitators to help determine activities most likely to encourage continued participation in PA. Subjects will be assessed to determine their level of adherence to PA that is consistent with the DG. For objective 2. Level of physical activity was assessed using accelerometry for 200 participants. On average students engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity for 44 minutes per day on weekdays (Monday through Friday) and 55 minutes on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). However, only 3% of children met the dietary guidelines recommendations for 60 minutes of physical activity during the weekdays and 5% of children met the dietary guidelines recommendations during the weekends. While few children are meeting the full recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity per day, the average number of minutes of physical activity suggests that children are approximating the goal, particularly on weekends. It appears that increased efforts are needed to increase physical activity during the weekdays when children are in school. Assessment of body composition data revealed that while level of moderate to vigorous physical activity was not related to standardized body mass index, participation in hard to very hard physical activity decreased as standardized body mass index and percent body fat increased. A sample of 100 students have been recruited to participate in a physical activity intervention designed to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity in children in order to meet the daily physical activity recommendations. A questionnaire assessing barriers and facilitators to physical activity was administered. The most common barrier to physical activity reported was homework, followed by having a preference for watching television. As a result, the intervention was modified to increase physical activity during the school day and gradually decrease time spent watching television, playing videogames, and working on the computer. Students who received the intervention increased their participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity. These same 100 students were recruited to participate in a follow-up program designed to maintain increased levels of physical activity long term. We are in the process of collecting data regarding the maintenance of these increased levels of physical activity over time. Accomplishments 01 Increasing physical activity levels in minority children. Children are engaging in considerably less physical activity now than they were 20 years ago, and this decrease coincides with increased prevalence of obesity in youth. This is particularly important for minority children w are at greater risk for obesity-related health problems. Currently, the dietary guidelines recommend that children engage in 60 minutes of physical activity daily; however, there are multiple barriers that reduc the likelihood of children being active, such as the home environment, busy daily schedules, and preferences for sedentary behaviors. Children' Nutrition Research Center researchers in Houston, Texas, have developed intervention program designed to increase physical activity in children order to meet the dietary guidelines and have demonstrated that the program improved physical activity levels in minority children. This accomplishment has important implications for future policy development and may help address the obesity epidemic in minority children.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Objective 1: Determine obesity-related metabolic and body composition responses to an exercise program with and without a dietary intervention in lean and obese Hispanic adolescents. Sub-objective 1A: Determine the effects of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program on lean body mass and total fat mass (using DXA), visceral and hepatic fat accumulation using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS); and glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity using Stable Isotope-Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) techniques in lean and obese adolescents. Sub- objective 1B: Determine the effects of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program + a diet intervention aiming at a 5% weight loss on lean body mass, total fat mass, visceral and hepatic fat; glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in obese adolescents (using the same techniques as in Sub-objective 1A). Objective 2: Develop and pilot test interventions to increase and sustain physical activity at a level consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DG) in urban African- and Mexican-American children. Sub- objective 2A: Determine if adherence to the physical activity component of the DG is associated with a lower incidence of overweight/obesity in urban African- and Mexican-American children. Sub-objective 2B: Develop and pilot test an intervention with urban African- and Mexican-American children to increase physical activity consistent with the DG recommendation. Specifically, physical activity will be operationally defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity. Sub-objective 2C: Develop and pilot test a maintenance program with urban African- and Mexican-American children to sustain physical activity consistent with the DG recommendation. Specifically, physical activity will be operationally defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity. Approach (from AD-416) Research subjects will participate in a whole-body resistance training program and perform a 30-min aerobic exercise program under supervision of experienced exercise physiologists. Additionally they will perform one 30-min aerobic exercise session/week at home. An additional group of research subjects will perform the same training program except a weight loss diet intervention will be added to the exercise program. The subjects will have an in-depth interview with a dietitian to determine eating habits and food preferences and a 3-d food diary will be provided. A sample of 200 African- or Mexican-American middle school children (i.e. , 6th � 8th grade; aged 10-15 years will be recruited from a Houston charter school to provide data on their participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Measured body composition (i.e., height, weight, BMI, percent body fat) will be collected. This study will examine children's free-living participation in physical activity (PA) to determine if these behaviors are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DG) (i.e., 60 minutes of MVPA most days of the week). A questionnaire will be administered identifying PA barriers and facilitators to help determine activities most likely to encourage continued participation in PA. Subjects will be assessed to determine their level of adherence to PA that is consistent with the DG. For Obj. 1, one obese 14-year-old boy and one obese 16-year-old girl have completed the 12-week exercise program (2 hours of strength exercise and 1 hour of aerobic exercise/week) and the two metabolic studies (before and at completion of the program). Both subjects attended more than 90% of the exercise sessions and performed very well. Preliminary results show an 80% increase in upper body muscle strength, 65% increase in leg muscle strength, and 50% increase in arm muscle strength, with no difference between the subjects. The girl showed a greater increase in fitness as measured by oxygen uptake during a tread mill test as compared to the boy. In contrast, the boy showed greater improvement in body composition than the girl. Most of the metabolic analyses are underway. In addition, one obese 15-year-old boy has completed 7 weeks of the exercise program and the pre-exercise metabolic study. This subject and a fourth subject, an obese 14-year-old girl, have been recruited and will complete the study by the end of the FY. In Obj. 2, a sample of 200 middle school children were recruited for participation in the study. Students' level of engagement in physical activity was measured using accelerometry and self report of participation in physical activity. Students' heights and weights were also measured in order to compute standardized body mass index and determine a child's BMI percentile. Bioelectrical impedance data was collected in order to determine students' percentage of body fat. Preliminary analyses indicate that as zBMI and percent body fat increase, participation in very hard and hard physical activity decreases. A sample of 59 participants were recruited to participate in pilot testing a physical activity intervention designed to increase moderate to vigorous activity in children in order to meet dietary guideline recommendations of 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Students receiving the physical activity intervention increased the percentage of minutes spent engaged in hard to very hard physical activity. This intervention was determined to be acceptable to participants. Further analyses are needed to determine whether there was a significant increase in vigorous physical activity compared to students in the control condition. These same 59 participants were recruited to participate in pilot testing of a follow-up program implemented to encourage either continued participation at the level attained during intervention or to continue to increase physical activity to meet dietary guidelines. Data from accelerometry and self-reported participation in physical activity was collected. Participants appeared to maintain their level of physical activity over time. The ADODR monitors project activities by visits, review of purchases of equipment, review of ARS-funded foreign travel, and review of ARS funds provided through the SCA. Accomplishments 01 Helping minority children meet physical activity recommendations. The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has quadrupled over th last 4 decades, and obesity rates among minority groups are increasing a even greater rates. Lifestyle interventions that involve diet, physical activity, and behavioral components have been shown to be effective in t treatment of obesity and its co-morbidities, but several barriers to the interventions exist for minority groups, particularly lower social suppo for participation in physical activity, unsafe neighborhoods, and fewer resources in terms of time and money to spend on participation in physic activity. Researchers at the Children's Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX, have developed a physical activity intervention and maintenance program for minority students designed to increase their participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity. We have found that students involved in this program were more likely to participate i school sports, and our results suggested that school-based sports participation may enhance maintenance efforts for school-based weight lo interventions. This intervention program may serve as a model to engage other minorities to help them adhere to the current dietary guidelines that recommend children should spend 60 minutes a day engaged in physica activity.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
|