title: Reducing high BMI in African American preschoolers: effects of a behavior-based physical activity intervention on caloric expenditure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Overweight and obesity in young children are increasing concerns for medical professionals. Lack of sufficient physical activity may be the primary cause; therefore, the development and testing of a theory-based intervention for preschoolers is a priority.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 30-minutes/day preschool-based intervention (Start For Life), with a foundation in social cognitive theory that emphasizes the use of self-regulation skills and feelings of mastery (self-efficacy), was administered for 9 months to 4- and 5-year-old African American children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings indicated a significant increase in accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity during the 7-hour school day. Reductions in body mass index (BMI; kg/m) were significant, with greater effects found in participants with an initially higher BMI. Further analyses indicated that the kilocalories expended through physical activity explained approximately 87% of the weight lost. Participants' sex did not affect the identified changes in BMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A brief theory-based physical activity intervention (Start For Life) was associated with increased moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity and reduced overweight/obesity in 4- to 5-year-old preschoolers. Because of its practical format, opportunities for widespread dissemination may be possible.
authors.affiliation: YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. jamesa@ymcaatlanta.org
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Annesi
authors.forename: Alice E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Gisèle A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Tennant
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012572:School Health Services; D014481:United States