Exploring the Potential of a School Impact on Pupil Weight Status: Exploratory Factor Analysis and Repeat Cross-Sectional Study of the National Child Measurement Programme.

Schools are common sites for obesity prevention interventions. Although many theories suggest that the school context influences weight status, there has been little empirical research. The objective of this study was to explore whether features of the school context were consistently and meaningfully associated with pupil weight status (overweight or obese). Exploratory factor analysis of routinely collected data on 319 primary schools in Devon, England, was used to identify possible school-based contextual factors. Repeated cross-sectional multilevel analysis of five years (2006/07-2010/11) of data from the National Child Measurement Programme was then used to test for consistent and meaningful associations. Four school-based contextual factors were derived which ranked schools according to deprivation, location, resource and prioritisation of physical activity. None of which were meaningfully and consistently associated with pupil weight status, across the five years. The lack of consistent associations between the factors and pupil weight status suggests that the school context is not inherently obesogenic. In contrast, incorporating findings from education research indicates that schools may be equalising weight status, and obesity prevention research, policy and practice might need to address what is happening outside schools and particularly during the school holidays.This article is freely available online via Open Access. Click on the 'Additional Link' above to access the full-text via the publisher's site

Results of a Multi-level Intervention to Prevent and Control Childhood Obesity among Latino Children: The Aventuras Para Niños Study

BACKGROUND: Community-based behavioral interventions are needed to reduce the burden of childhood obesity. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the impact of a multi-level promotora-based (Community Health Advisor) intervention to promote healthy eating and physical activity (PA) and prevent excess weight gain among Latino children. METHODS: Thirteen elementary schools were randomized to one of four intervention conditions: individual and family level (Fam-only), school and community level (Comm-only), combined Fam+Comm intervention, or a measurement-only condition. Participants were 808 Latino parents and their children enrolled in kindergarten through 2(nd) grade. Measures included parent and child BMI and a self-administered parent survey that assessed several parent and child behaviors. RESULTS: There were no intervention effects on children's BMI z-score. The Fam-only and Fam+Comm interventions changed several obesity-related child behaviors and these were mediated by changes in parenting variables. DISCUSSION: A promotora-based behavioral intervention was efficacious at changing parental factors and child obesity-related health behaviors