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. 2009 Dec;13(4):333-46.
doi: 10.1177/1367493509344823. Epub 2009 Oct 15.

After-school program to reduce obesity in minority children: a pilot study

Kristine A Madsen  1 , Hannah R Thompson, Lidya Wlasiuk, Emily Queliza, Colin Schmidt, Thomas B Newman
Affiliations

After-school program to reduce obesity in minority children: a pilot study

Kristine A Madsen et al. J Child Health Care. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

This study explored a community-based after-school program's effect on obesity in minority children. Study participants included 178 third through fifth graders (47% Latino, 25% Asian, and 18% African-American) enrolled in America SCORES Bay Area. Outcomes were attendance, change in fitness (20-meter shuttle test), and body mass index (BMI) z-score over eight months. At baseline, 52 percent of children were overweight or obese. Children attended SCORES > 4 days/week and fitness significantly improved (p < 0.01). BMI z-score decreased by 0.04 (p = 0.10) overall, and by 0.05 (p = 0.08) among obese children, but increased among African-American children. These results suggest that SCORES increases fitness and may improve BMI in some minority children. Effect modification by race may relate to differential growth patterns or engagement in SCORES. These findings suggest community-based programs could effectively address obesity. A randomized trial of the SCORES program is warranted to rigorously examine this type of after-school program's impact on child health.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
SCORES Program Retention
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean laps run at baseline and follow-up, by BMI category
Figure 3
Figure 3
Actual vs predicted change in BMI over 8 months by race
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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