title: Evaluation of a 6-month multi-disciplinary healthy weight management program targeting urban, overweight adolescents: effects on physical fitness, physical activity, and blood lipid profiles.
abstract: This study evaluated preliminary physical fitness, physical activity, and blood lipid profile data obtained from overweight adolescents upon enrolling in a healthy weight management program and following 6 months of program participation. One hundred and sixty-eight participants (13.4+/-1.8 years, 37.9+/-8.3 kg/m(2), 59.5% female and 76.2% African-American) enrolled in the program. The intervention addressed factors related to nutrition, physical activity, and other behaviors related to weight management. Sixty-four participants (38.1%) completed 6 months of program participation. While there was no significant reduction in body mass or body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score was reduced by 1.2% (p < 0.05), cardiorespiratory fitness was increased by 10.8% (p = 0.001), body fat percentage was reduced by 2.6% (p = 0.001), total cholesterol was reduced by 7.2% (p < 0.001), and low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) was reduced by 8.4% (p < 0.001) at 6 months. Continued development and evaluation of programs designed to prevent and treat child and adolescent overweight is warranted to address this major public health issue.
authors: Department of Health and Human Performance, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284-2020, USA. rkevans@vcu.edu
authors: Ronald K
authors: RK
authors: Evans
authors: R Lee
authors: RL
authors: Franco
authors: Marilyn
authors: M
authors: Stern
authors: Edmond P
authors: EP
authors: Wickham
authors: Daphne L
authors: DL
authors: Bryan
authors: Jeffrey E
authors: JE
authors: Herrick
authors: Nicole Y
authors: NY
authors: Larson
authors: Angela M
authors: AM
authors: Abell
authors: Joseph H
authors: JH
authors: Laver
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood; D010809:Physical Fitness; D014504:Urban Health; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids