Mindfulness-Based Pilot Study to Reduce Childhood Obesity Risk in Underserved Urban Children: Preliminary Findings

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and acceptability of a mindfulness-based pilot intervention focused on reducing obesity risk in school-aged children residing in a low-income New York City neighborhood.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsForty-nine children (mean age 10.0 ± 0.7, 54% female, 85% African-American/Black) attending a Harlem, New York-based school participated in a two-group quasi-experimental study. The intervention group comprised of children participating in afterschool programming (n=24), while children who only attended during the school day comprised the control group (n=25). The intervention group received a 9-session mindfulness-based pilot intervention, which was offered weekly; each session was two hours in duration.Outcome Measures and AnalysisPrimary outcomes included mindful eating and resilience, measured at baseline and post-test. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. Brief interviews with a subsample of the intervention group were conducted to determine acceptability of the pilot intervention.ResultsPreliminary analyses suggest there were no significant differences between pre- and post-survey responses for composite scores or related domains for mindful eating and resilience, in both the intervention and control groups. Qualitative data indicate that majority of the children enjoyed the intervention and thought it could be useful for other youth.Conclusions and ImplicationsAs prevalence of childhood obesity remains high, it is important to seek innovative and wide-reaching approaches to connect with children. A comprehensive mindfulness-based intervention may provide a unique opportunity to engage and impact overall health of underserved, urban school-age children. However, further research should be explored to determine if a mindfulness-based intervention could promote health in underserved, urban, school-age children.FundingCity University of New York Interdisciplinary Research Grant ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and acceptability of a mindfulness-based pilot intervention focused on reducing obesity risk in school-aged children residing in a low-income New York City neighborhood. To explore the feasibility and acceptability of a mindfulness-based pilot intervention focused on reducing obesity risk in school-aged children residing in a low-income New York City neighborhood. Design, Setting, and ParticipantsForty-nine children (mean age 10.0 ± 0.7, 54% female, 85% African-American/Black) attending a Harlem, New York-based school participated in a two-group quasi-experimental study. The intervention group comprised of children participating in afterschool programming (n=24), while children who only attended during the school day comprised the control group (n=25). The intervention group received a 9-session mindfulness-based pilot intervention, which was offered weekly; each session was two hours in duration. Forty-nine children (mean age 10.0 ± 0.7, 54% female, 85% African-American/Black) attending a Harlem, New York-based school participated in a two-group quasi-experimental study. The intervention group comprised of children participating in afterschool programming (n=24), while children who only attended during the school day comprised the control group (n=25). The intervention group received a 9-session mindfulness-based pilot intervention, which was offered weekly; each session was two hours in duration. Outcome Measures and AnalysisPrimary outcomes included mindful eating and resilience, measured at baseline and post-test. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. Brief interviews with a subsample of the intervention group were conducted to determine acceptability of the pilot intervention. Primary outcomes included mindful eating and resilience, measured at baseline and post-test. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. Brief interviews with a subsample of the intervention group were conducted to determine acceptability of the pilot intervention. ResultsPreliminary analyses suggest there were no significant differences between pre- and post-survey responses for composite scores or related domains for mindful eating and resilience, in both the intervention and control groups. Qualitative data indicate that majority of the children enjoyed the intervention and thought it could be useful for other youth. Preliminary analyses suggest there were no significant differences between pre- and post-survey responses for composite scores or related domains for mindful eating and resilience, in both the intervention and control groups. Qualitative data indicate that majority of the children enjoyed the intervention and thought it could be useful for other youth. Conclusions and ImplicationsAs prevalence of childhood obesity remains high, it is important to seek innovative and wide-reaching approaches to connect with children. A comprehensive mindfulness-based intervention may provide a unique opportunity to engage and impact overall health of underserved, urban school-age children. However, further research should be explored to determine if a mindfulness-based intervention could promote health in underserved, urban, school-age children. As prevalence of childhood obesity remains high, it is important to seek innovative and wide-reaching approaches to connect with children. A comprehensive mindfulness-based intervention may provide a unique opportunity to engage and impact overall health of underserved, urban school-age children. However, further research should be explored to determine if a mindfulness-based intervention could promote health in underserved, urban, school-age children.