scholarly journals A Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment of USDA Summer Food Service Program Sites in Low-Income Urban Zip Codes: Findings from the Project SWEAT Study (P04-144-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah May ◽  
Laura Hopkins ◽  
Allison Labyk ◽  
Carolyn Gunther
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Service Program ◽  
Nutrition Environment ◽  
Vending Machines ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity

Abstract Objectives To examine the nutrition and physical activity (PA) environment of urban USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites. Methods The current study was part of a larger observational trial – Project SWEAT (Summer Weight and Environmental Assessment Trial) – investigating the determinants of unhealthy summer weight gain in children residing in low-income urban zip codes. All SFSP sites located in Project SWEAT neighborhoods were recruited. The nutrition and PA environment was assessed via the field-tested 83-item Site Environmental Assessment Form. Nutrition environment characteristics included, but were not limited to, presence of water fountain(s) [yes/no] and vending machines [healthy, unhealthy, or mixed options). PA environment characteristics included, but were not limited to, presence of indoor gym, indoor/outdoor basketball court, nearby parks, outdoor playground equipment, and sports equipment [yes/no]. PA behaviors from the perspective of the site directors was also assessed (6-point Likert Scale; 0 = Never, 5 = Daily). Summary statistics were calculated. Results Twenty-eight SFSP sites were identified and 20 completed (71% response rate). Nutrition environment characteristics: 90% (n = 18) of sites had water fountains and 40% (n = 8) had either snack or beverage vending machines or both. 100% of sites that had snack vending (n = 5 of 8) and 80% of sites that had beverage vending (n = 7 of 8) had mixed options. PA environment: 90% (n = 18) had at least one PA environmental characteristic; 39% (n = 7), 67% (n = 12), and 94% (n = 17) had swimming pool, playground equipment, and a basketball hoop, respectively. 70% (n14) of site directors encouraged children to go outside (70%, n = 14) and praised PA (80%, n = 16) 5–6 times per week. Child daily participation in moderate PA was reported by 85% (n = 17) of site directors. Conclusions Results demonstrate that urban SFSP sites have healthy snacks and beverages and PA areas available to participants; thus, the SFSP has potential to play a role in protecting at-risk children from unhealthy weight gain during the summer. Funding Sources USDA North Central Nutrition Education Center for Excellence.

scholarly journals Body composition outcomes of Healthy Fit and the role of acculturation among low-income Hispanics on the US-Mexico border

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane I. Lopez ◽  
Lauren Chacon ◽  
Denise Vasquez ◽  
Louis D. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Mexico Border

Abstract Background Hispanic immigrants continue to experience higher rates of overweight and obesity compared to their non-Hispanic counterparts. Acculturation may contribute to unhealthy weight gain among immigrant populations by shifting dietary patterns from high fruit and vegetable consumption to unhealthier high fat diets. Healthy Fit, a culturally tailored community health worker (CHW) intervention, aims to reduce obesity related outcomes by providing physical activity and nutrition education and resources in a low-income Hispanic population. This study aims to evaluate outcomes of Healthy Fit participants and examine changes in body composition in relation to level of acculturation at baseline and follow-up. Method In this longitudinal observational study, CHWs recruited 514 participants from community events and agencies serving low-income Hispanic populations in El Paso, Texas from 2015 to 2016. Following an in-person health screening, eligible participants received nutrition and physical activity education guided by fotonovelas, comic-like educational books. Telephone follow-ups made at 1, 3, and 6 months by CHWs encouraged follow-through on referrals. 288 participants completed the screening again during the 12-month follow-up. Results The sample was predominantly Hispanic (96%), female (82%), uninsured (79%), had a household income of less than $19,999 (70%), foreign-born (79%), preferred Spanish (86%) and few rated themselves as good or excellent for English proficiency (27%). Overall, Healthy Fit participants significantly improved (i.e., decreased) BFP by 0.71% (t = 2.47, p = 0.01) but not BMI (b = .01, t = − 0.14, p = .89). Contrary to expectations, acculturation was not associated with lower BMI (b = 0.09, p = 0.84) or BFP (b = 0.13, p = 0.85) at baseline. However, acculturation predicted changes in both BMI (b = 0.30, p = 0.03) and BFP (b = 1.33, p = 0 .01) from baseline to follow-up. Specifically, the low acculturation group improved in body composition measures over time and the high acculturation group did not improve in either measure. Conclusion Findings suggest Healthy Fit was most effective among less acculturated individuals. The influence of acculturation on the efficacy of nutrition and exercise interventions suggests that Hispanics should not be treated as a homogenous subgroup.

Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions For Low-Income Populations

2007 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neera Chaudhary ◽  
Nancy Kreiger
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Computer Search ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Traditional Group ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Print Material ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity

A systematic review was conducted of community-based nutrition and physical activity strategies for chronic disease prevention targeting low-income populations. A computer search of the relevant published literature from 1996 to 2004 was done using Medline, EMBASE, ERIC, CINAHL, PubMed, and HealthSTAR databases. The primary objective was to develop an inventory of intervention strategies. The interventions ranged in approach from traditional group sessions taught by allied health professionals, peer-led workshops, one-on-one counselling print material, and home-based telephone and mail interventions to multimedia strategies and experiential activities such as food demonstrations and group exercise. The results suggest that nutrition and physical activity interventions aimed at low-income audiences tend to be delivered in an interactive visual format, to be culturally appropriate, to be administered in accessible primary care settings, and to provide incentives.

Assessment Of The Nutrition And Physical Activity Education Needs Of Low-Income, Rural Mothers: Can Technology Play A Role?

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Atkinson ◽  
Amy S. Billing ◽  
Sharon M. Desmond ◽  
Robert S. Gold ◽  
Amy Tournas-Hardt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Education Needs ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Rural Mothers

scholarly journals Testing the effect of summer camp on excess summer weight gain in youth from low-income households: a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Whitney Evans ◽  
Rena R. Wing ◽  
Denise F. Pierre ◽  
Whitney C. Howie ◽  
Morgan Brinker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Summer Camp ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
School Year ◽  
Low Income Households

Abstract Background Children from racial and ethnic minority groups, low-income households, and those with overweight or obesity gain more weight during the summer than the school year. Summer day camps, which offer routine opportunities for physical activity and regular meal and snack times, have potential to mitigate excess weight gain. This randomized controlled trial was done to determine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of summer camp in preventing excess summer weight gain among youth from low-income households. Methods Children, ages 6 to 12 years, were randomized to attend 8-weeks of summer day camp (CAMP) or to experience an unstructured summer as usual (SAU) in 2017–2018. Primary feasibility outcomes included retention, engagement and completion of midsummer measures. Secondary outcomes included changes in BMIz, engagement in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior, and diet quality and energy intake from the school year to summer. Multivariable linear mixed models were used to assess group differences. Results Ninety-four participants were randomized to CAMP (n = 46) or SAU (n = 48), of whom 93.0 and 91.6% completed end of school and end of summer assessments, respectively. While CAMP participants attended only 50% of camp days offered, on average, they lost − 0.03 BMIz units while those in SAU gained 0.07 BMIz units over the summer (b = 0.10; p = .02). Group differences in change in energy intake from the school year to summer were borderline significant, as energy intake remained relatively unchanged in CAMP participants but increased among participants in SAU (p = 0.07). Conclusions Randomizing children to attend summer day camp or experience an unstructured summer as usual was effective in this low-income sample. Our findings support the potential for summer camps in mitigating excess summer weight gain. A larger randomized trial is needed explore efficacy, cost-effectiveness and longer-term effects of attending summer camp on weight and weight-related behaviors. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Registration: NCT04085965 (09/2019, retrospective registration).

scholarly journals Exploring the Relationship Between Attendance at USDA Summer Food Service Program Sites and Baseline Household Food Security Status: Results from the Project SWEAT Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 204-204
Author(s):  
Laura Hopkins ◽  
Cara Pannell ◽  
Carolyn Gunther
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Service Program ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objectives Explore the relationship between attendance at USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites and baseline household food security status. Methods Two elementary schools in low-income urban neighborhoods of Columbus, OH were recruited. Families with children at these schools in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth were invited to participate. Caregivers completed a demographic survey at the end of school year 1 (baseline [t0]). Household food security was assessed at t0 using the USDA 6-item Short Form Food Security Module and based on responses participants were categorized as living in high marginal food security (HMFS), low food security (LFS), or very low food security (VLFS) households. Child attendance at USDA SFSP sites was collected via weekly text messages to caregivers using the online TextIt© platform. ANOVA was conducted to determine differences in attendance level by household food security status. Results 113 children representing 78 families enrolled. Mean age was 7.10 ± 0.21 yr, 79.65% were African American, 72.73% were low-income, and mean annual income was $28,222. Approximately 27% of families (n = 21) reported living in LFS (n = 10, 14.82%) or VLFS (n = 11, 12.10%) households. Overall mean attendance at summer programming was 10.40 ± 1.43 days (out of 50 possible days) and attendance by household food security status was 10.51 ± 1.61 (HMFS), 19.00 ± 6.15 (LFS), and 5.70 ± 2.85 (VLFS) days with a significant difference (P = 0.04) between LFS and VLFS households. Conclusions Children in VLFS (vs HMFS and LFS) households, who are at increased risk for hunger during the summertime window of risk, are attending sites offering the USDA SFSP least frequently. Future research and programmatic efforts should be targeted at children from the most vulnerable households to ensure food security during the summertime window of risk. Funding Sources USDA NC-NECE.

Effect of Nutrition and Physical Activity Training with Mexican Americans

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-182
Author(s):  
Debra M. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mexican Americans ◽  
Mexican American ◽  
Exercise Habits ◽  
Diet And Exercise ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Poor Nutrition

Health related behaviors are of concern in the Mexican American community because of the prevalence of disease, such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer. Poor nutrition and a lack of physical activity are behaviors which contribute to these diseases. Training regarding health related behaviors associated with nutrition and physical activity was attended by 11 individuals from low income areas who were Mexican American. Results indicate most did understand the importance of diet and exercise in controlling these diseases. Most were motivated to change their eating and exercise habits as a result of the training they attended. / Comportamientos relacionados con la salud son de gran preocupación en la comunidad Mexicana por la alta ocurrencia de enfermedades como diabetes, hipertensión y cáncer. Pobre nutrición y la falta de actividad física son ejemplos de comportamientos responsables por estas enfermedades. Once individuos de áreas de bajo ingreso que eran Mexicano Americanos atendieron un entrenamiento referente a comportamientos relacionados con la salud que son asociados con la nutrición y actividad física. Los resultados indican que la mayoría entendieron la importancia de la dieta y ejercicios para controlar estas enfermedades. La mayoría de ellos fueron motivados a cambiar sus hábitos de comer y ejercicios como resultado del entrenamiento que asistieron.

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