ALDINE - UT PARTNERSHIP TO PREVENT OBESITY IN YOUTH

描述（由申请人提供）：儿童和青少年中肥胖的患病率有所增加，其中少数民族/种族群体的增幅最大。这项为期两年的发展研究将通过德克萨斯大学休斯顿分校和阿尔丁独立学区（AISD）之间的合作伙伴关系进行。在休斯顿市区的这个大学区里，很大一部分学生都有肥胖的高风险；55%的学生是西班牙裔，34%是非洲裔美国人，72%的学生处于经济劣势。在以前的研究中，以学校为基础的干预措施对改善健康行为、减少学校膳食计划中的脂肪和钠、增加中等到剧烈体育活动的剂量和频率的有效性已经进行了测试，但很少有研究对体重或体脂率产生影响。此外，几乎没有证据支持对少数民族儿童和经济上处于不利地位的儿童进行干预。该项目将以以前的研究为基础，但通过与社区建立伙伴关系的方式，将具有创新性，也许更具可持续性。这一发展阶段的目的是评估目标人群学龄儿童（幼儿园至六年级）的肥胖患病率以及心血管疾病和糖尿病的相关危险因素；评估这些儿童在食物选择和身体活动机会方面的学校环境；让学校工作人员、学生和家长参与到评估、分析和规划预防和减少青少年肥胖的新方法的参与性过程中来。长期目标是与社区合作，计划在文化上一致的行动，可以测试其有效性，并且是可持续的。最终目标是减少肥胖相关疾病造成的健康差异。公共卫生相关性：肥胖在美国被认为是一种流行病，而且是一种致残、致命和昂贵的疾病。预防和减少儿童和青少年的肥胖，并缩小与肥胖有关的健康差距，是国家的一项主要目标。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has increased and the greatest increases have been among ethnic/racial minority groups. This two-year developmental study will be conducted through a partnership between the University of Texas-Houston and the Aldine Independent School District (AISD). In this large school district in the Houston metropolitan area, large proportions of students are at high risk for obesity; 55% of the students are Hispanic, 34% are African American, and 72% of students are economically disadvantaged. The efficacy of school-based interventions to improve health behavior, reduce fat and sodium in school meal programs, and increase the dose and frequency of moderate to vigorous physical activity has been tested in previous studies but few have had an impact on body mass or percent body fat. Further, there is little evidence to support interventions for ethnic minority children and those economically disadvantaged. This project will build on previous studies, but will be innovative, and perhaps more sustainable, by engaging the community in a partnership approach. The aims of this developmental phase are to assess the prevalence of obesity and associated risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the target population of school age children (Kindergarten through 6th grade); assess the school environments of these children in relation to food options and opportunities for physical activity; and engage school personnel, students and their parents in a participatory process to assess, analyze and plan new approaches to prevent and reduce obesity in youth. The long-range goal is to work with the community to plan actions that are culturally congruent, could be tested for effectiveness, and are sustainable. The ultimate goal is reduce health disparities attributable to obesity-related conditions. Public Health Relevance: Obesity is recognized as an epidemic in the United States, and one that is disabling, deadly, and costly. Prevention and reduction of obesity in children and adolescents, and reduction of health disparities associated with it, is a major national goal.