Translational Obesity Research

The proposed project takes an innovative approach to childhood obesity prevention, for which
there currently no evidence-based programs, and for which results of current trials have
produced mainly short-term or disappointing effects. The aim of this project is to adapt and
revise parts of two nationally recognized programs for drug prevention for use with children
in grades 4-6 with the express purpose of obesity prevention. The current study will attempt
to promote emotion regulation, neuro-cognitive function, and social competence in order to
prevent obesity. A total of 24 elementary schools from two of the largest districts in
Orange County will be randomly assigned to either the obesity prevention program or control
group (N=3460 4th grade students and their parents). A cohort of students will be followed
from the 4th through 6th grades. Intervention students will be administered the Pathways
obesity prevention program by trained teachers. The population is ethnically diverse (36%
white, 57% Hispanic, 6%Asian; 48% on free/reduced lunch programs). Self-report measures,
BMI, and waist circumference will be administered at the beginning of 4th grade, and at end
of 4th , 5th , and 6th grade. Teacher, administrative, and parent surveys will be
administered on the same schedule to measure school environment. Program implementation will
be measured by teacher self-report and research staff observations. Data will be analyzed
with statistical approaches that capture effects of school and classroom, test the
theoretical model of change, and evaluate developmental trends in mediators and outcomes
across the three grades. Findings should be generalizable to most elementary schools, and
will be used to develop evidence-based program standards for childhood obesity prevention.