Results of an intensive school-based weight loss program with overweight Mexican American children

Childhood overweight has increased significantly in the past 20 years, with the highest rates noted among Mexican Americans. Schools are an optimal setting for intervention efforts; however, few programs have demonstrated actual decreases in weight. This study evaluated an intensive school-based program designed to result in weight reduction for overweight Mexican American children. A total of 71 children (32 males, 48%) between the ages of 10 and 14 at or above the 85th percentile for body mass index (BMI) were randomized into a six-month intensive intervention (II) or self-help (SH) condition. Results revealed that children in the II condition significantly reduced their standardized BMI (zBMI) when compared with the children in the self-help condition (F(2,62)=6.58, p=0.003). The change in zBMI was significantly different at both 3 and 6 months (F(1,63)=5.74, p=0.019, F(1,63)=12.61, p=0.001, respectively) with II participants showing greater decreases in weight. The 3-month change in zBMI for the II participants was a decrease of 0.07 compared with a decrease of 0.01 for SH participants. The 6-month change in zBMI was a decrease of 0.11 for II and an increase of 0.03 for SH. Overall, the results are promising, suggesting that an intensive school-based intervention may be an effective means for promoting weight loss in overweight Mexican American children.