Preschool Based Obesity Prevention Effectiveness Trial

BACKGROUND:

Obesity is epidemic in the U.S. and is associated with increased risk for numerous medical problems. Many obesity-related risk factors are strikingly apparent in minority populations. Ethnic differences in obesity related risk factors begin as early as six to nine years of age. Thus, the need for overweight prevention efforts as early as the preschool years is critical.

This study builds upon the findings of the "Hip-Hop to Health" program. The primary aim of Hip-Hop was to compare changes in body mass index (BMI [kg/m2]) in two groups of 3- to 5-year-old minority children randomized to a Weight Control Intervention (WCI) or a General Health Control Intervention (GHI). Results for the children at the Year 1 and 2 follow-ups showed that children in the WCI had significantly smaller relative changes in BMI compared to children in the GHI control group. The success was among the schools that served predominantly Black children. Hip-Hop to Health was an efficacy trial delivered by trained specialists in early childhood education, and the first efficacy trial to document change in BMI in preschool children.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

This study will test a 14-week teacher-delivered weight control intervention (TD-WCI) to a 14-week teacher delivered general health control intervention (TD-GHI) in a randomized community trial occurring in 16 preschools in the Chicago School District. The study has the following aims: 1) to compare children in these two conditions on changes in BMI post intervention and at Year 1 follow-up; 2) to compare children in these two conditions on changes in television viewing, physical activity, and fat, fiber, fruit and vegetable intake at post-intervention and Year 1 follow-up; and 3) to compare classroom teachers in these two conditions on nutrition and exercise knowledge, nutrition attitudes, and support for healthy eating post-intervention and Year 1 follow-up.