CAN DO Houston: a community-based approach to preventing childhood obesity.
BACKGROUND
Comprehensive, community-based efforts may reduce rates of childhood obesity.


OBJECTIVE
Almost half of the children in Houston are overweight or obese, even though Houston has many available resources that support good nutrition, physical activity, and prevention of weight gain among children.


METHODS
We used existing resources to implement a community-based, childhood obesity prevention initiative in 2 low-income neighborhoods in Houston. On the basis of input from community members, we coordinated various activities to promote healthy living, including after-school programs, grocery store tours, wellness seminars, cooking classes, and staff wellness clubs.


RESULTS
Preliminary findings indicated that residents in the communities are using additional opportunities to participate in physical activity and nutrition education.


CONCLUSIONS
Implementing a successful childhood obesity prevention initiative in an urban setting is feasible with minimal funding through the use of existing resources.
Correa
Nancy Post
NP
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Murray
Nancy G
NG
Mei
Christine A
CA
Baun
William B
WB
Gor
Beverly Jean
BJ
Hare
Nicole B
NB
Banerjee
Deborah
D
Sindha
Toral F
TF
Jones
Lovell Allan
LA
D002648:Child; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012572:School Health Services; D013781:Texas; D014505:Urban Population