School Nurse-directed Secondary Obesity Prevention for Elementary School Children

School Nurse-directed Secondary Obesity Prevention for Elementary School Children

Primary Aim: To test the efficacy of an elementary school-based, school nurse-led weight management program to reduce excess weight gain among children, 8 to 12 years old who are overweight and at risk of overweight by increasing healthy dietary practices and physical activity levels and decreasing sedentary practices.

Primary Hypothesis: Relative to the control condition, the children receiving the intervention will have a significantly lower body mass index (BMI), following implementation of the 9-month intervention, controlling for baseline values.

Primary Hypothesis: Relative to the control condition, the children receiving the intervention will have a significantly lower body mass index (BMI), following implementation of the 9-month intervention, controlling for baseline values.

Inclusion Criteria for child participants:

• 3rd 4th and 5th grade student the year the intervention is implemented,
• ≥ 8 and ≤ 12 years old,
• age- and gender-adjusted BMI ≥ 75th percentile,
• child must live in a primary residence with the participating parent

Exclusion Criteria for child participants:

• plans to move outside the school district within the next 12 months,
• food allergies,
• physical limitations,
• medical conditions that prohibit participation in the intervention program or measurement,
• does not speak and write in English.