Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a minimal, tailored diabetes prevention program for families that could be delivered in elementary school settings.
Methods
Families were eligible for the program if they had at least one child aged 8 to 12 years old attending the elementary school who was at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Families attended ten 90-minute sessions with exercise, cooking demonstrations, and healthy life-style lessons. Height, weight, and self-reported behavior were assessed in parents and height and weight in children before and after classes.
Results
A total of 82 parents (2% men, 98% women) and 62 children (47% boys and 53% girls) enrolled in the program across 3 replications. Parents had an average weight loss from baseline to the end of the program of 1.5 lb (P = .05). There was a large increase in the number of parents who self-reported engaging in leisure-time physical activity as a result of participating in the program (14% vs 64%; P < .01). There were no changes in children’s body mass index percentile or z score as a result of the program.
Conclusions
Delivering a diabetes prevention program in an elementary school setting was effective for increasing diabetes-related knowledge, chronic disease awareness, and self-reported healthy behavior in low-income Spanish-speaking families.
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