ERIC Number: EJ1015191
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Sep
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Healthy Buddies[TM] Reduces Body Mass Index Z-Score and Waist Circumference in Aboriginal Children Living in Remote Coastal Communities
Ronsley, Rebecca; Lee, Andrew S.; Kuzeljevic, Boris; Panagiotopoulos, Constadina
Journal of School Health, v83 n9 p605-613 Sep 2013
Background: Aboriginal children are at increased risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Healthy Buddies [TM]-First Nations (HB) is a curriculum-based, peer-led program promoting healthy eating, physical activity, and self-esteem. Methods: Although originally designed as a pilot pre-/post-analysis of 3 remote Aboriginal schools that requested and received HB training, one school did not implement the program and was used as a control group. Outcomes included changes in body mass index z-score (zBMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), self-esteem, health behavior, and knowledge over 1 school year in kindergarten to grade 12 children. Results: There was a significant decrease in zBMI (1.10 to 1.04, p=0.028) and WC (77.1 to 75.0 cm, p less than 0.0001) in the HB group (N=118) compared with an increase in zBMI (1.14 to 1.23, p=0.046) and a minimal WC change in the control group (N=61). Prevalence of elevated BP did not change in the HB group, but increased from 16.7% to 31.7% in the control group (p=0.026). General linear model analysis revealed a significant interaction between time, group, and zBMI (p=0.001), weight status (p=0.014), nutritious beverage knowledge (p=0.018), and healthy living and self-esteem score (p=0.005). Conclusions: The HB program is a promising school-based strategy for addressing obesity and self-esteem in Aboriginal children. (Contains 3 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Indigenous Populations, Canada Natives, At Risk Persons, Obesity, Diabetes, Health Promotion, Peer Teaching, Eating Habits, Physical Activity Level, Self Esteem, Rural Areas, Body Composition, Hypertension, Knowledge Level, Elementary Secondary Education, Incidence, Comparative Analysis, Body Weight, Program Effectiveness, Questionnaires
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Kindergarten; Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A