Evaluating the effectiveness of the Kids Living Fit program: a comparative study.
After-school programs can be implemented by school nurses to facilitate healthy lifestyle choices in children with the goal of decreasing obesity. Kids Living Fit (KLF), an after-school program designed by community hospital nurses, was implemented in elementary schools and focused on best lifestyle choices regarding foods consumed and activities chosen for children in grades 2 through 5. Study measures included comparison of body mass index (BMI) percentiles for age and gender and waist circumference between two self-selected groups composing a total sample size of 185 participants: the KLF intervention group (n = 80) and the no-intervention/ contrast group (n = 105). The 12-week intervention included a weekly fitness program and monthly dietitian presentations. Participants completed food and activity diaries and wore pedometers. In pairwise comparisons, the KLF group had a significant decrease in BMI percentile between baseline and follow-up (-2.3%) compared with the contrast group. The KLF group also demonstrated a smaller increase in waist circumference than the contrast group.
Patient Care Services, Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, VA, USA.
Karen Gabel
KG
Speroni
Cynthia
C
Earley
Martin
M
Atherton
D001294:Attitude to Health; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education; D003479:Curriculum; D015930:Diet Records; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012573:School Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio