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Article
Author(s)
Melody Schaeffer, Claire Cioni, Jill Schnurbusch, Nicole Kozma, Sarah Reinhold and Nila Garba
Full-Text PDF XML 441 Views
DOI:10.17265/2159-5828/2018.03.001
Affiliation(s)
St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Child Health Advocacy and Outreach
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United
States and as of 2014 its prevalence among children ages two to 19 was 17.0%.
Without intervention, obese children are at risk for negative health
consequences and for the increased likelihood of staying obese through
adulthood. St. Louis Children’s Hospital provides HTT (Head to Toe), an interactive
12-session fitness, nutrition, and social well-being class focuses on adopting
healthier lifestyles through daily exercise, and proper nutrition. One program
referral method is through a partnership with the hospital’s HSC (Healthy Start Clinic), a
multi-disciplinary obesity clinic. Pretest and posttest assessments are used to
measure changes in body metrics, health behaviors, knowledge, readiness to
change, and self-concept. Between August 2011 and May 2016, 485 children and at
least one parent or guardian with them were enrolled in the program, and up to 235 children completed at least
one pretest- or post-assessment. Analysis determined multiple statistically
significant improvements in body metrics, health behaviors, knowledge,
including questions related to nutrition and food guidelines, readiness to
change assessment, and self-concept. Total knowledge increased by 22%;
questions related to nutrition increased by 28.2%, social emotional by 18.9%
and physical activity by 17.8%. Findings suggest that the Head to Toe program
is effective in improving nutrition, physical activity, social emotional
knowledge and behaviors among participants. Childhood obesity is a growing
epidemic and creating a relationship with a pediatric obesity clinic can
increase the total number of children and teens that are introduced to weight
management programs.
KEYWORDS
Childhood obesity, exercise, nutrition, weight, wellness, mental health.
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