Research article summary (published 16 Sep 2009):

Evaluation of a multiple ecological level child obesity prevention program: Switch what you Do, View, and Chew.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Schools are the most frequent target for intervention programs aimed at preventing child obesity; however, the overall effectiveness of these programs has been limited. It has therefore been recommended that interventions target multiple ecological levels (community, family, school and individual) to have greater success in changing risk behaviors for obesity. This study examined the immediate and short-term, sustained effects of the Switch program, which targeted three behaviors (decreasing children's screen time, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and increasing physical activity) at three ecological levels (the family, school, and community). METHODS: Participants were 1,323 children and their parents from 10 schools in two states. Schools were matched and randomly assigned to treatment and control. Measures of the key behaviors and body mass index were collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6 months post-intervention. RESULTS: The effect sizes of the differences between treatment and control groups ranged between small (Cohen's d = 0.15 for body mass index at 6 months post-intervention) to large (1.38; parent report of screen time at 6 months post-intervention), controlling for baseline levels. There was a significant difference in parent-reported screen time at post-intervention in the experimental group, and this effect was maintained at 6 months post-intervention (a difference of about 2 hours/week). The experimental group also showed a significant increase in parent-reported fruit and vegetable consumption while child-reported fruit and vegetable consumption was marginally significant. At the 6-month follow-up, parent-reported screen time was significantly lower, and parent and child-reported fruit and vegetable consumption was significantly increased. There were no significant effects on pedometer measures of physical activity or body mass index in the experimental group. The intervention effects were moderated by child sex (for fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and weight status), family involvement (for fruit and vegetable consumption), and child body mass index (for screen time). The perception of change among the experimental group was generally positive with 23% to 62% indicating positive changes in behaviors. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the Switch program yielded small-to-modest treatment effects for promoting children's fruit and vegetable consumption and minimizing screen time. The Switch program offers promise for use in youth obesity prevention.

Author information

Author/s: Gentile, Douglas A (DA); Welk, Greg (G); Eisenmann, Joey C (JC); Reimer, Rachel A (RA); Walsh, David A (DA); Russell, Daniel W (DW); Callahan, Randi (R); Walsh, Monica (M); Strickland, Sarah (S); Fritz, Katie (K);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA. dgentile(-atsign-)iastate.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: BMC medicine (BMC Med), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-; vol 7 (issue ) : pp 49

Dates: Created 2009/10/07; Completed 2009/11/02;

PMID: 19765270, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/2/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Body Mass Index Child Female Health Behavior Health Promotion - methods Health Services Research

Health Services Research Humans Male Obesity - prevention & control Parents Schools

Related articles

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

• Translating research into practice: intervening to promote better care. 30 Aug 2005
• Girls health Enrichment Multi-site Studies (GEMS): new approaches to obesity prevention among young African-American girls. 30 Dec 2002

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.