SDSU MOVE/Me Muevo Project

The purpose of this study is to design, implement, and evaluate a recreation site-based obesity prevention & control intervention for 7-9 year old children and their families by targeting physical activity and dietary behaviors.

The primary aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level intervention to prevent the onset of overweight and obesity in 7-9 year old children. The recreation center site intervention emphasizes changes in quantity and quality of physical activity and nutrition-related offerings within the centers. The home site intervention targets the home environment and household rule setting delivered via Family Health Coaches and tailored to the needs of the family. Five hundred forty one (541) families were recruited to participate in this project. Participants were selected in part based on residence in proximity to participating recreation centers. Eighteen (18) families living up to 3 miles from each of the 30 recreation centers involved in the project were be recruited to participate. For each family, one child was recruited between the ages of 5 and 8 years old and this child's primary caregiver was enrolled in the study. The study's primary outcome is Body Mass Index (kg/m2). Comparisons: Control vs. Intervention

The two year intervention involves changing the environment and policies in community recreation centers to promote physical activity and healthy eating choices. The Recreation Specialist will meet with recreation center staff monthly to create action plans that work towards this goal. Family Health Coaches will be in contact with intervention families twice a month either through a phone consultation, workshop at the recreation center,or home visit. Intervention families will receive a monthly mailing highlighting tips for healthy eating and physical activity. MOVE families will be encouraged to utilize the recreation center as a resource in supporting their child's physical activity and healthy eating behaviors.

Child physical activity measured by wearing the ActiGraph accelerometer in a subsample of 1/3 of participants from each center

Questionnaire to assess Parent-reported nutrition and eating behaviors,rules about physical activity & nutrition in the home, and physical activity & sedentary behavior at baseline, 2 years, 3 years.

Inclusion Criteria: Primary residence within 3 miles of recreation center Children ages 5-8 at baseline Commit to participate in study for 3 1/2 years Participating parent must be a legal guardian of the child Parent and child must be able to speak and read English or Spanish Willing to be randomly assigned to control or intervention Exclusion Criteria: Child has a medical/health/psychological condition or is taking a medication that may impact the child's physical activity, diet or weight to confound BMI Parent or child is unable to read and speak English or Spanish Family plans to move during the next 3 1/2 years