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Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2013

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Health and Nutritional Sciences

First Advisor

Teresa Kemmer

Abstract

Background: In the United States, 16.9% of children and adolescents are classified as obese. Childhood obesity is becoming a severe nutritional crisis. Rising lipid levels and declining physical activity levels are supporting the increase in childhood obesity, therefore programs encouraging a healthier way of life for today’s children are necessary for treatment of obesity and prevention later in life. The study was aimed at determining efficacy of the KidQuest Program within rural South Dakota fifth grade students through assessment of lipid and body mass index (BMI) measurements.
Methods: Six schools, with a total of 128 fifth grade students, were invited to participate in the teen taught KidQuest program, a nutrition-based school program involving elements of physical activity designed for fifth and sixth grade students. Schools were randomly assigned to the Control, Intervention 1 (KidQuest program), or Intervention 2 (KidQuest program plus Family Fun Packs and Take 10! Activities) groups. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, and BMI were measured at baseline, completion of the program (six months), and at 12 months.
Results: Ninety-one subjects, mean age (±SD) of 10.91 ± 0.42, initially participated in the program. Seventy-nine completed the full study (26=Control, 25=Intervention 1, 26=Intervention 2). There were no significant changes between the groups from pre intervention to post intervention and 12 month follow up in total cholesterol, triglycerides, or HDL cholesterol. There was a significant decrease (p=0.03) in LDL cholesterol values in the Intervention 2 group from pre to post intervention. There was a significant increase (p=0.04) in BMI percentile (adjusted for age and gender) for the Intervention 1 group from pre to post intervention assessment, as well as significant increases in BMI percentiles from pre intervention to 12 months for both the Intervention 1 (p=0.01) and the Intervention 2 (p=<0.001) groups.
Conclusion: This evaluation of the teen taught KidQuest program, within rural fifth grade students living in South Dakota, had a positive effect from pre to post intervention on LDL cholesterol levels within one of the intervention groups. The significant increase in subject BMI percentiles within one of the intervention groups from pre to post intervention and in both intervention groups from pre intervention to 12 months was not expected. Even though the KidQuest program was well received by teachers, parents and students, additional research is required to determine a program design

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Children -- Nutrition -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Dakota.
Exercise for children -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Dakota.
Low density lipoproteins.
Health education -- South Dakota.
Teenagers.

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 23-30)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

36

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/

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