Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
A Twelve-Week Lifestyle Program to Improve Cardiometabolic, Behavioral, and Psychological Health in Hispanic Children
Sami Yli-Piipari1, Alison Berg2, Emma M Laing2
11 Children's Physical Activity, Fitness, and School Health Promotion, Department of Kinesiology, College of Education, University of Georgia , Athens, GA.
Objectives:
To examine the effectiveness of a 12-week lifestyle program on cardiometabolic, behavioral, and psychological outcomes among overweight Hispanic children and adolescents.
Design:
A case series study with pre- and post-test analyses. Subjects/Settings/Location: A convenience sample of high-risk pediatric primary care patients (n = 22; 6 girls, 16 boys; M age = 11.73 ± 1.39 years) and their guardians in the Southeast United States.
Intervention:
Twice per week 60 min (total of 24 h) of moderate-to-vigorous intensity boxing exercise training, 12 h of nutrition education for guardians, and a 30-min pediatrician appointment.
Outcome Measures:
Cardiometabolic (height [m], weight [kg], waist circumference [cm], body-mass index [BMI], BMI-z, BMI%, cholesterol [mg/dL], triglycerides [mg/dL], glucose [mg/dL], and low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [mg/dL]), behavioral (objective free time physical activity [PA] and sedentary time [min/day]), and psychological (self-determined exercise motivation) outcomes were measured/calculated, and paired-samples t-tests were conducted.
Results:
A significant reduction was observed in waist circumference t(17) = -2.57, p = 0.020, d = 0.64; BMI% t(15) = -2.53, p = 0.023, d = 0.20; fasting glucose t(15) = -6.43, p < 0.001, d = 1.67; and amotivation (-) t(17) = -2.29, p = 0.036, d = 0.64; whereas a significant increase was identified in moderate t(10) = 4.01, p = 0.002, d = 1.23 and vigorous t(10) = 3.41, p = 0.007, d = 1.07 intensity PA; intrinsic motivation t(17) = 2.71, p = 0.015, d = 0.38; and introjected regulation t(17) = 2.74, p = 0.014, d = 0.64.
Conclusions:
A 12-week lifestyle program can be effective in improving selected health markers among overweight Hispanic children and adolescents. The positive changes in fasting glucose, BMI, and waist suggest that the participants are currently at lower risk for both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease as a result of the Confidence, Ownership, Responsibility, and Exercise program.
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
Longitudinal Studies
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

