Development of A Health Education Curriculum to Reduce the Risk of Obesity Among Hispanic School‐Age Children

Abstract

BackgroundChildhood obesity is a major global public health problem which disproportionately affects Hispanic children. Therefore, there is a need to develop culturally sensitive curricula to deliver school‐based interventions targeting Hispanic children. The Amate, Activate, Cuidate, Comparte (AACC) [Love Yourself, Activate Yourself, Take Care of Yourself, and Share] curricula is a culturally sensitive health education model to prevent obesity among Hispanic children in elementary school settings. This model was developed and pilot‐tested. Preliminary data shows this model to be promising to prevent childhood obesity among school‐aged children.MethodsThe AACC curriculum targets ten key lifestyle behaviors and school lunch modifications. Both are aimed to increase nutrient‐dense meals and energy expenditure through physical activity. The curriculum has a cognitive‐emotive‐behavioral approach which is grounded on social cognitive theory, positive psychology and pedagogical principles. Love is the underlying principle to elicit and regulate motivation to adopt and maintain healthy eating behaviors and physical activity. The nutrition curriculum consists of six classes, each consisting of two sessions. The first session provides the cognitive skills, elicits motivation, preparing the child for informed decision making to choose, commit, and engage in healthy behaviors. Each child sings and signs a pledge maintaining supervised behavioral records for two weeks. The follow up class session aims at providing social support, feedback and elicit commitment to continue practicing the intended behavior. The curriculum targets increasing consumption water, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, vegetable proteins and physical activity while reducing sweetened drinks and screen time. Emphasis is given in temperance (including stop eating at 80% of feeling full) to moderate the consumption of healthy foods and limit/avoid consumption of less healthy foods.Results/ConclusionThe AACC curriculum has been well received by teachers, children. Parents of other schools are requesting implementation of this program in their schools. Policy makers are supporting the program.Support or Funding InformationSecretaria de Salud de Tamaulipas Secretaria de Educacion Publica de Tamaulipas Office of Research and Creative Scholarship.