Abstract
ObjectiveTo report physical activity and sedentary time outcomes of youth in iCook 4-H. Study Design and SettingiCook 4-H was a 5-state, randomized, control–treatment, family-based childhood obesity prevention intervention promoting cooking, eating, and playing together. Participants and InterventionYouth aged 9–10 years and the main preparer of their meals participated in the 12-week program followed by monthly newsletters and biyearly booster sessions until 24 months. Main Outcome Measure(s)A total of 155 youth were fitted with an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer, which they wore for 7 days at baseline and 4, 12, and 24 months to measure mean daily minutes per hour of waking wear time for sedentary time (ST), light physical activity (PA) (LPA), moderate PA, vigorous PA, and moderate to vigorous PA. Self-reported PA was assessed using the Block Kids Physical Activity Screener and additional questions querying for the program goal of the frequency of family actively playing together. Linear mixed models were used to determine differences from baseline to 24 months. Significance was set at P ≤ .05. ResultsThere was a significant (P < .05) group × time interaction for LPA (adjusted interaction B estimate, 95% confidence interval; 0.18 [0.05, 0.30]) and ST (−0.15 [−0.26, −0.04]); ST increased and LPA decreased in the treatment group. There were no differences in other accelerometer-derived PA measures, self-report Block Kids Physical Activity Screener measures, or frequency of family actively playing together at any time point. Conclusions and ImplicationsiCook 4-H was a multicomponent program observing youth aged 9–10 years for 24 months that focused on enhancing cooking skills, mealtime behavior and conversation, and PA through daily family activities. Greater emphasis on developing PA skills, changing environmental factors, and increasing PA both in and after school may be needed.
Highlights
Childhood obesity is a significant problem in the US.[1]
The objective of the current study was to assess accelerometer-derived and self-reported physical activity (PA) and sedentary time from baseline (0 months) to 24 months in youth who participated in the iCook 4-H program. iCook 4-H was designed using Social Cognitive Theory focusing on reciprocal modeling by parents and incorporated opportunities for youth to learn through observation and doing
The preparer of the main meal was required to attend the lesson and interact with the youth in setting goals and completing the curriculum activities, mean minutes per hour of PA decreased for all intensity levels and sedentary time increased for those in the treatment group, and there were no changes in the control group in accelerometer-derived data
Summary
Childhood obesity is a significant problem in the US.[1] Despite recent declines in certain age groups, 34.2% of youth aged 6−11 years remain overweight or obese.[1] Childhood obesity is influenced by demographic factors and eating behaviors as well as a lack of physical activity (PA).[2,3] Overweight and obese children are at increased risk for health consequences including high blood pressure, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.[4,5] The World Health Organization suggests that overweight and obese children and adolescents will grow into overweight and obese adults, leading to an increased number of health concerns later in life.[4] This assumption is in line with results from a systematic review that reported an association between overweight and obesity in childhood and an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and mortality in adulthood.[6] McLoone and Morrison[7] reported that as the body mass index (BMI) of the parent increased, so too did the prevalence of obesity in the child, which suggests a need for interventions aimed at both the parent and child
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