title: Evaluation of a pilot hospital-based community program implementing fitness and nutrition education for overweight children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the effect of the Kids Living Fit hospital-based intervention on body mass index (BMI) percentile, adjusted for age (months) and gender in children ages 8-12 years with BMI percentiles > or = 85.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve weekly exercise sessions and three nutrition presentations were held. Nurses recorded BMI and waist circumference at baseline, week 12, and week 24. Participants completed food and activity diaries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 32 participants enrolled, 16 completed all outcome measures and experienced a decrease in average BMI, BMI percentile, and waist circumference between baseline and weeks 12 and 24.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hospitals can offer exercise and nutrition programs to decrease childhood obesity in their communities.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Research, Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, VA, USA. kgabelsperoni@smartneighborhood.net
authors.forename: Karen Gabel
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Speroni
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tea
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Earley
authors.forename: Vonzie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Niehoff
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Atherton
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States