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iStart smart: a primary-care based and community partnered childhood obesity management program for Chinese-American
Jyu-Lin Chen1, Monica Kwan, Allison Mac
1Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, Box 0606, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA, jyu-lin.chen@nursing.ucsf.edu.
Insights
A primary care obesity intervention improved health in Chinese American children. The program showed short-term success in reducing body mass index (BMI) and improving nutrition knowledge.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Children from ethnic minority backgrounds, low-income households, and urban areas face higher obesity risks.
- Chinese American children represent a population group that may benefit from targeted obesity interventions.
- Primary care settings offer a crucial point for early identification and intervention for childhood obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and efficacy of a primary care-based, community-partnered obesity intervention.
- To evaluate the intervention's impact on overweight Chinese American children aged 7-12.
- To measure changes in key health and behavioral indicators related to obesity.
Main Methods:
- An experimental design with a historical comparison group was employed.
- Data collection included weight, height, blood pressure, waist circumference, physical activity, and dietary intake.
- Measurements were taken at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months post-intervention.
Main Results:
- The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, and nutrition knowledge.
- Participants showed enhanced self-efficacy regarding diet and physical activity.
- A statistically significant reduction in BMI was observed in the intervention group compared to the historical comparison group (F = 8.65, p = 0.004).
Conclusions:
- A primary care-based obesity intervention is feasible for Chinese American children.
- The intervention demonstrated short-term efficacy in promoting weight loss and improving health markers.
- Community partnerships enhance the potential for successful pediatric obesity interventions within healthcare settings.
Abstract:
Children who are ethnic minorities, low income and live in urban neighborhoods are at higher risk for obesity. This study examined the feasibility and efficacy of a primary care-based and community partnered obesity intervention in Chinese American children. An experimental design with a historical comparison group was used to explore the feasibility of an obesity intervention for overweight Chinese American children, ages 7-12. Data were collected on weight, height, blood pressure, waist circumference, physical activity, food intake, knowledge, and self-efficacy about diet and physical activity at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months post-baseline. Significant improvements in BMI, blood pressure, and nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy were found in the intervention group. Intervention group reduced their BMI compared to the comparison group (F = 8.65, p = .004). An obesity intervention in primary care setting is feasible and demonstrates a short-term effect on weight loss in Chinese American children.
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