title: A true challenge for any superhero: an evaluation of a comic book obesity prevention program.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to pilot test the Comics for Health program, a theory-based nutrition and physical activity intervention for children. Twelve after-school programs were randomized to either a theory-based (n = 37) or a knowledge-based (n = 34 children) version of the intervention. Pretests, posttests, and 3-month follow-up tests were administered to evaluate the programmatic effects on body mass index percentile, obesity-related behaviors, and constructs of social cognitive theory. Both interventions found significant, yet modest effects for fruit and vegetable consumption (P < .005), physical activities (P < .004), and water and sugar-free beverage consumption (P < .001) and self-efficacy for fruit and vegetable consumption (P < .015) and physical activities (P < .009).
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA. pbranscum@ou.edu
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Branscum
authors.forename: Manoj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Lihshing Leigh
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bradley R A
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rojas-Guyler
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation