Objective: To evaluate the preliminary effects of a theory-based, multi-component intervention on improving healthy lifestyle behaviours and preventing obesity amongst low-income preschoolers.
Methods: A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted at 10 daycare centres. The 16-week FirstStep2Health intervention, grounded in the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model and the Social Cognitive Theory, included five components: a Facebook-based parent programme, three virtual parent meetings, three weekly motivational text messages, parent-child learning via weekly child letters and daycare centre-based child programme.
Results: A total of 95 preschoolers (53 intervention and 42 control) participated. Preschoolers' mean age was 49.27 months, with 57.9% being female, 12.6% being Hispanic and 40% being African American. The intervention significantly decreased intervention preschoolers' fat intake (B = -33.76, p = 0.047) and % body fat (B = -1.18, p = 0.036) compared to the control. During year 2, there were significant intervention effects on increasing skin carotenoids (B = 87.06, p = 0.035). Although not statistically significant, the intervention showed positive effects on increasing preschoolers' fruit/vegetable intake; and decreasing screen time, body mass index z-score and proportion of overweight/obesity.
Conclusions: Even with some potential limitations (small sample size, measurement concerns and confounding with Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic), the study's results support the preliminary efficacy of the FirstStep2Health intervention in preventing obesity amongst low-income racially diverse preschoolers.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.13122 | DOI Listing |
Diabetes Res Clin Pract
January 2025
Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Ricerca Cura Carattere Scientifico Multimedica, Sesto, San Giovanni (MI), Italy.
Primary prevention of diabetes still remains as an unmet challenge in a real world setting. While, translational programmes have been successful in the developed nations, the prevailing social and economic inequities in the low and middle income countries, fail to integrate diabetes prevention into their public health systems. The resulting exponential increase in the prevalence of diabetes and the cost of treatment has put primary prevention in the back seat.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJMIR Form Res
January 2025
Graduate School of Public Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States.
Background: Childhood obesity prevalence remains high, especially in racial and ethnic minority populations with low incomes. This epidemic is attributed to various dietary behaviors, including increased consumption of energy-dense foods and sugary beverages and decreased intake of fruits and vegetables. Interactive, technology-based approaches are emerging as promising tools to support health behavior changes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Background: Technological advancements and globalization have shifted dietary behaviours, contributing to increased chronic disease prevalence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like India. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to these changes, which can impact their lifelong health. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of adolescents in public schools in Chandigarh, India.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMJ Open
December 2024
Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Pleasanton, California, USA.
Objectives: The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening of adults aged 35-70 with a body mass index ≥25 kg/m for type 2 diabetes and referral of individuals who screen positive for pre-diabetes to evidence-based prevention strategies. The diabetes burden in the USA is predicted to triple by 2060 necessitating strategic diabetes prevention efforts, particularly in areas of highest need. This study aimed to identify pre-diabetes hotspots using geospatial mapping to inform targeted diabetes prevention strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Public Health
January 2025
Faculty of Science of Semlalia, Department of Biology, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco.
Low- and middle-income countries are facing a rapid increase in nutritional problems, particularly in Africa, where undernutrition, overweight and micronutrient deficiencies coexist, creating a double burden of malnutrition and a challenge to public health policies. In this context, Morocco stands out for its early nutritional transition, characterized by a moderate prevalence of overweight and undernutrition and elevated levels of micronutrient deficiencies. The aim of this study was to assess the weight status of women of childbearing age and identify its determinants to suggest ways to improve it.
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