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Clinical Trial
. 2013 Oct 4:13:157.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-13-157.

Changes in diet and physical activity resulting from the Shape Up Somerville community intervention

Sara C Folta  1 , Julia F Kuder, Jeanne P Goldberg, Raymond R Hyatt, Aviva Must, Elena N Naumova, Miriam E Nelson, Christina D Economos
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Changes in diet and physical activity resulting from the Shape Up Somerville community intervention

Sara C Folta et al. BMC Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to describe the behavioral changes in children resulting from Shape Up Somerville (SUS), a community-based, participatory obesity prevention intervention that used a multi-level, systems-based approach. It was set in Somerville, an urban, culturally diverse community in Massachusetts, USA.

Methods: This was a non-randomized, controlled 2-year community-based intervention trial with children enrolled in grades 1 to 3 (ages 6-8 years). Overall, the SUS intervention was designed to create environmental and policy change to impact all aspects of a child's day. Pre-post outcomes were compared between Somerville and two control communities that were chosen based on socio-demographic similarities. Behavioral outcomes were fruit and vegetable and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption; number of organized sports and physical activities per year; walking to and from school; screen and television time; television in bedroom; and dinner in room with television on. These measures were assessed by parent/caregiver report using a 68-item Family Survey Form. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression, accounting for covariates and clustering by community.

Results: Intervention group children, compared to the control group, significantly reduced sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (-2.0 ounces per day; 95% CI -3.8 to -0.2), increased participation in organized sports and physical activities (0.20 sports or activities per year; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.33), and reduced their screen time (-0.24 hours per day; 95% CI -0.42 to -0.06).

Conclusions: Results of this study, particularly intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and screen time, are similar to others that used a multi-level approach to realize change in behavior. These results support the efficacy of a multi-level and systems-based approach for promoting the behavioral changes necessary for childhood obesity prevention. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT00153322.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flow and assessment points of data used to analyze behavioral outcomes during the 2-year Shape Up Somerville intervention period.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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