Browsing by Subject "Obesity in women--United States--Prevention"

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    The development, implementation, and evaluation of a dietary and physical activity intervention for overweight, low-income mothers
    (2004) Clarke, Kristine Kendrick; Freeland-Graves, Jeanne H.
    The purpose of this study is to evaluate a program for promoting weight loss, increasing physical activity, and enhancing nutrition attitudes in mothers of young children. An 8-week dietary and physical activity program was tested. Demographic, dietary, physical activity, and psychosocial data were collected at baseline; anthropometric data were measured at baseline and week 8. A convenience sample of 114 intervention mothers and 33 comparison mothers were recruited from public health clinics, community centers, and churches. Eligibility criteria included Hispanic, African-American, or Caucasian ethnicity; body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 ; low-income (< 200% federal poverty index); and youngest child aged 1-4 years. Baseline differences in anthropometrics and demographics between groups were tested using Chi-square and independent samples t-tests. Changes in anthropometrics, nutrients, physical activity measures, and attitudes were evaluated with paired samples t-tests. Relationships between variables were tested with Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. Hierarchical regression was employed to assess potential predictors of weight loss. Intervention participants lost weight, consumed fewer calories, increased pedometer steps, and demonstrated improvements in nutrition attitudes. Correlates of weight loss included less satisfaction with appearance (r=0.24), a greater percentage of energy from protein (r=-0.22), superior nutrition knowledge (r=-0.23), higher scores on the benefits of weight loss (r=-0.20), change in healthy eating attitudes (r=-0.28) and change in social support (r=-0.21). The predictive models of weight loss with baseline and change variables represented 18.7% and 17.1% of the variance, respectively. Weight management programs serving low-income mothers should stress these modifiable factors: a balanced diet that contains sufficient protein, social support, attitudes toward healthful eating, benefits of weight loss, and nutrition knowledge.