Examining the evidence for policy and environmental strategies to prevent childhood obesity in black communities: new directions and next steps (original) (raw)
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Interventions for Preventing Childhood Obesity in African-American Children: A Critical Review
Report suggested that the dramatic increases in childhood and adolescent obesity that occurred between 1980 and 2000 may have plateaued in the United States. The descriptions are conflicting but to confirm the decease of obesity, evidence has emerged from nine countries including the United States. Statements recommended that the rise in the prevalence of childhood obesity has slowed appreciably or even plateaued. However the research is vague among ethnic minorities and the economically disadvantaged. The results continue to draw attention to the increased risk of becoming obese and need for interventions of prevention in childhood obesity in African-American children of the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine interventions for preventing childhood obesity in African American children. The efficiency of interventions need to be designed to prevent obesity in childhood through lifestyle and social support by considering obesity intervention strategies. To examine the gap of the interventions for preventing childhood obesity in African-American children in the literature, obesity prevention interventions specifically targeted at preventing overweight and obesity in African-American children is necessary
American journal of public health, 2016
To assess the impact of a large-scale place-based intervention on obesity prevalence in Black communities. The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health across the United States (REACH US) project was conducted in 14 predominantly Black communities in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. We measured trends from 2009 to 2012 in the prevalence of obesity. We used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to compare these trends with trends among non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks in the United States and in the 10 states where REACH communities were located, and with a propensity score-matched national sample of non-Hispanic Blacks. The age-standardized prevalence of obesity decreased in REACH US communities (P = .045), but not in the comparison populations (P = .435 to P = .996). The relative change was -5.3% in REACH US communities versus +2.4% in propensity score-matched con...
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition - EUR J CLIN NUTR, 2006
Objectives: Obesity prevention among children and adolescents is a public health priority; however, limited school-based intervention trials targeting obesity have been conducted. This article provides an overview of the study design and baseline preliminary findings of our ongoing school-based intervention study. Design: Randomized intervention trial to test a school-based, environmental obesity prevention program in urban low socioeconomic status (SES) African-American adolescents. The intervention program was developed based on several behavioral theories and was guided by preliminary findings based on focus group discussion and baseline data. Setting: Four Chicago public schools in the US. Subjects: Over 450 5-7th graders and their families and schools were involved. Results: Our baseline data indicate a high prevalence of overweight (43% in boys and 41% in girls) and a number of problems in these children's physical activity and eating patterns. Only 26% reported spending X20 min engaged in vigorous-moderate exercise in X5 days over the past 7 days; 29% reported spending X5 h each day watching TV, playing video games, or using computer. They also consumed too many fried foods and soft drinks. On average, 55% consumed fried foods X2 times/day over the past 7 days; regarding soft drinks, 70% reported consuming X2 times/day. Conclusion: School-based obesity prevention programs are urgently needed in the target US urban, low SES, minority communities. These data can be used to inform intervention activities.
Expanding the obesity research paradigm to reach African American communities
Preventing chronic disease, 2007
Obesity is more prevalent among African Americans and other racial and ethnic minority populations than among whites. The behaviors that determine weight status are embedded in the core social and cultural processes and environments of day-to-day life in these populations. Therefore, identifying effective, sustainable solutions to obesity requires an ecological model that is inclusive of relevant contextual variables. Race and ethnicity are potent stratification variables in U.S. society and strongly influence life contexts, including many aspects that relate to eating and physical activity behaviors. This article describes a synthesis initiated by the African American Collaborative Obesity Research Network (AACORN) to build and broaden the obesity research paradigm. The focus is on African Americans, but the expanded paradigm has broader implications and may apply to other populations of color. The synthesis involves both community and researcher perspectives, drawing on and integr...
Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 2013
Purpose. Minority groups are disproportionally aff ected by the obesity epidemic. Schools represent an environment conducive to targeting obesogenic risk factors. The purpose of this review was to analyze systematically school-based interventions targeting African American and Hispanic children. Methods. Inclusion criteria were: completed experimental and quasi-experimental interventions targeting African American or Hispanic children in school settings located in the United States. Results. A total of 10 articles met the specifi ed inclusion criteria. Programs that aff ected body composition included physical activity and nutritional modalities and three of the programs modifi ed school meals. Eight of the interventions incorporated behavioral theory as the framework for the intervention; however, only two programs explicitly operationalized the theories employed. Discussion. Effi cacy of school-based interventions targeting minorities can be enhanced through explicit operationalization of behavioral theories, incorporation of systematic process evaluation, long-term follow-up of intervention outcomes, and inclusion of the family and home environment.
Achieving Healthy Weight in African-American Communities: Research Perspectives and Priorities
The longstanding high burden of obesity in African-American women and the more recent, steeper than average rise in obesity prevalence among African-American children constitute a mandate for an increased focus on obesity prevention and treatment research in African-American communities. The African-American Collaborative Obesity Research Network (AACORN) was formed to stimulate and support greater participation in framing and implementing the obesity research agenda by investigators who have both social and cultural grounding in African-American life experiences and obesity-related scientific expertise. AACORN's examination of obesity research agenda issues began in 2003 in conjunction with the Think Tank on Enhancing Obesity Research at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The assessment was subsequently expanded to take into account the overall NIH strategic plan for obesity research, literature reviews, and descriptions of ongoing studies. In identifying priorities, AACORN members considered the quality, quantity, focus, and contextual relevance of published research relevant to obesity prevention and treatment in African-American adults or children. Fifteen recommended research priorities are presented in five categories adapted from the NHLBI Think Tank proceedings: health effects, social and environmental context, prevention and treatment , research methods, and research training and funding. These recommendations from an African-American perspective build on and reinforce certain aspects of the NHLBI and overall NIH research agendas by providing more specific rationale and directions on areas for enhancement in the type of research being done or in the conceptualization and implementation of that research."
Power-up: a collaborative after-school program to prevent obesity in African American children
Progress in community health partnerships : research, education, and action, 2011
Schools represent a key potential venue for addressing childhood obesity. To assess the feasibility of Power-Up, an after-school program to decrease obesity risk among African American children, using community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles. Teachers led 14 weekly nutrition and physical activity sessions during afterschool care at the Woodlawn Community School on Chicago's South Side. Forty African American children ages 5 to 12 participated; their 28 parents discussed similar topics weekly at pickup time, and families practiced relevant skills at home. Pre- and post-intervention anthropometrics, blood pressure, dietary measures, and health knowledge and beliefs for children and parents were compared in univariate analysis. At baseline, 26% of children were overweight; 28% were obese. Post-intervention, mean body mass index (BMI) z scores decreased from 1.05 to 0.81 (p<.0001). Changes were more pronounced for overweight (-0.206 z-score units) than for obese c...
Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners, 2015
African American adolescents experience higher rates of obesity and have an increased risk of obesity-related diseases than do White American adolescents. Despite culturally sensitive obesity preventive interventions, obesity rates are increasing within the African American adolescent population. Current obesity interventions do not usually address the heterogeneity (e.g., socioeconomic status [SES], gender, and residential status differences) within the African American adolescent community that can affect the efficacy of these interventions. To examine the gender, SES, and residential status differences related to obesity and weight behaviors in African American adolescents. A descriptive correlational study was conducted with 15- to 17-year-old African American adolescents (n = 145) from community clinics, youth organizations, churches, and social networks in metropolitan and inner-city Detroit. Data were collected through use of survey methods and analyzed with use of descriptiv...
Attitudes of African American advocates toward childhood obesity
Ethnicity & disease, 2011
To report the childhood obesity-related attitudes and beliefs of community advocates who are serving African-American children. Attendees at the 2009 National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) annual meeting who also attended the session on childhood obesity were surveyed. Surveys were self administered prior to the start of the session. Survey respondents felt that social determinants like heavy advertising, high cost of healthful food, etc were contributors to the childhood obesity epidemic while simultaneously believing that parents were ultimately responsible for shaping their children's eating behaviors. African American children are plagued by a number of different risk factors. The job of advocates is very important in addressing these problems, however, advocates often find it difficult to split their time between each area. Health care professionals might be better served by developing disease risk reduction comprehensive programs when working with these communi...