O22 BOUNCE: A Comprehensive Healthy Lifestyle Summer Program for Minority Adolescents and Parents

Abstract

Background Low-income Latino and African American youth compared to their Caucasian counterparts are at increased risk for obesity. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess fidelity and efficacy of a summer community and family-based summer healthy lifestyle intervention named BOUNCE to reduce percent body fat by promoting healthy and mindful eating and physical activity engagement among Latino and African American youth. Study Design, Setting, and Participants We utilized a quasi-experimental pre-post group design. Ninety-four low-income Latio and African American boys and girls (M age = 10.6, SD age = 1.6) and primarily their mothers participated. Participating youth received 20 nutrition education sessions including cooking demonstrations, 20 psychoeducational sessions, and 60 exercise sessions (eg, yoga, kickboxing, and circuit training). In addition, parents were asked to participate in a 2-hour health workshop “platica” once per week. This workshop included nutrition basic education, cooking demonstration, and tips for parents to be more active as a family. University-based elementary school facilities (gym, classrooms, and cafeteria) were used to implement this intervention. Analysis Pre-and post-intervention participants completed demographic, physical activity, food frequency questionnaires, and wore an accelerometer for 7 days. Participants also had their body height measured using a stadiometer Seca 210 and body weight and percent body fat measured using a Tanita (TBS 310). Repeated ANCOVA was conducted to analyze the main effects of the intervention over time. Results At post-intervention, 60% exhibited a reduction of at least 0.5 cm of waist circumference. These children lost an average of 2.2% (SD = 1.6%) body fat, and 1.6 cm in waist circumference (SD = 3.6 cm). There was a 10% decrease in percent of time spent in sedentary behavior. Conversely, there was a 5% increase in percent of time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. That is, on average, 46 minutes converted from sedentary behavior to moderate physical activity. Conclusion This study provides valuable information about the feasibility and efficacy of a summer comprehensive healthy lifestyle intervention targeting minority youth. Funding Aetna Foundation, United Health Foundation.