ARS | Publication request: NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, OBESITY AND DIABETES: A COMMUNITY INTERVENTION PILOT STUDY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: January 20, 2006
Publication Date: April 1, 2006
Citation: Harris, E.W., Chester, D.N. 2006. Nutrition, physical activity, obesity and diabetes: a community intervention pilot study. Meeting Abstract.

Technical Abstract: Objective: This community intervention serves as a research and education program for students at five Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) who participate in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Summer Institute; Alabama A & M University, Howard University, North Carolina Central University, Southern University, and Tuskegee University. During the 2004-05 academic year, students helped plan the intervention and conduct a pilot study in partnership with USDA. The purpose was to test mean time questionnaire administration in order to develop an appropriate community based intervention aimed at diabetes control and prevention. Methodology: The planned intervention will utilize the USDA Eat Smart, Play Hard TM campaign to determine if there is a change in eating and physical activity lifestyle practices. Data was collected from children age 4-6, 7-10, and 11-13, and their caregivers, from a variety of settings. Computerized questionnaires were used to collect data on diet and health knowledge, socio-demographics, physical activity, anthropometrics. We also used the computerized Block Brief 2000 and the Block Kids Food Frequency Questionnaires. Results: There were 104 participants from the five HBCU community sites (4 - 6 years = 26; 7 - 10 years = 26; 11 - 13 years = 21; and caregivers = 31). Mean time questionnaire administration was as follows: Diet & Health Knowledge Questionnaire = 42 mins; Socio-demographic data sheet = 3.5 mins; Physical Activity data sheet = 8.5 mins; Anthropometric data sheet = 2.5 mins; and the Block Dietary Questionnaire = 24.5 mins. Conclusion: This research will allow the use of computer applications in the collection of community level data. Findings from the pilot phase will be used to develop an appropriate computerized multi-site community based intervention.