Self-management training for Chinese obese children at risk for metabolic syndrome: Effectiveness and implications for school health

Abstract

This article reviews the results of a school-based self-management intervention for Chinese obese children at risk for metabolic syndrome. Twenty-eight Chinese obese children (M age = 10 years) and their parents participated in the study. Metabolic syndrome risk factors were measured pre- and post-intervention. The risk factors included Body Mass Index, waist circumstance, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein, fasting plasma glucose, and fasting blood insulin. After 6 months of school-based self-management intervention, all risk factors with the exception of triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose changed significantly in the healthful direction (p < 0.01). This pilot study offers promising implications for school interventions that are delivered by school-based practitioners collaborating with parents, teachers, and children. An individualized program based on a self-care and -management framework may have utility as a relatively cost-effective, school-based intervention to improve children’s health.