The increasing prevalence of obesity in U.S. children and adolescents is a major health threat to our society, especially among minority and low social economic status (SES) populations. During adolescence physical activity (PA) decreases and is likely an important contributor to the increasing trend in childhood obesity rates. Little evidence suggests that school-based curriculum interventions lead to increases in overall PA. Thus, this proposal will evaluate the efficacy of an innovative student-centered after-school program for promoting increases PA among underserved adolescents (e.g., minorities, low SES). The student-centered intervention is consistent with Self-Determination (Motivation) Theory and Social Cognitive Theory in that it emphasizes increasing intrinsic motivation and behavioral skills for PA. Adolescents in the student-centered program take ownership in developing the program, select physical activities that generate fun and interest, and generate their own coping strategies for making effective PA changes during a videotaped session. Preliminary data from our group demonstrates the feasibility of the student-centered PA program for increasing moderate-to-vigorous PA in underserved adolescents in South Carolina. The proposed project will use a school-based nested cohort design to evaluate efficacy of a 6-month student-centered program versus typical after-school program on increasing PA in underserved adolescents. Twenty-four middle schools (70 6th graders per school; N=1,680), located in South Carolina will be randomly assigned to one of two after-school programs. The study employs a nested cohort design, with schools, rather than individuals assigned to condition and will be analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariance techniques as outlined by Murray. We will also examine psychosocial variables (PA self-efficacy, self-concept, motivation, social support, and enjoyment) as potential mediators of the intervention on changes in PA using regression and structural equation modeling techniques as outlined by Baron and Kenny. This study will address an important public health problem that will have implications for decreasing obesity in underserved adolescents.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD045693-02
Application #
6905610
Study Section
Behavioral Medicine, Interventions and Outcomes Study Section (BMIO)
Program Officer
Haverkos, Lynne
Project Start
2004-07-01
Project End
2009-04-30
Budget Start
2005-05-01
Budget End
2006-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$596,897
Indirect Cost
Name
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
111310249
City
Columbia
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29208
Lawman, Hannah G; Horn, M Lee Van; Wilson, Dawn K et al. (2015) A multilevel approach to examining time-specific effects in accelerometer-assessed physical activity. J Sci Med Sport 18:667-72
Siceloff, E Rebekah; Wilson, Dawn K; Van Horn, Lee (2014) A longitudinal study of the effects of instrumental and emotional social support on physical activity in underserved adolescents in the ACT trial. Ann Behav Med 48:71-9
Peterson, Michelle S; Lawman, Hannah G; Wilson, Dawn K et al. (2013) The association of self-efficacy and parent social support on physical activity in male and female adolescents. Health Psychol 32:666-74
St George, Sara M; Wilson, Dawn K; Lawman, Hannah G et al. (2013) Weight status as a moderator of the relationship between motivation, emotional social support, and physical activity in underserved adolescents. J Pediatr Psychol 38:387-97
Alia, Kassandra A; Wilson, Dawn K; St George, Sara M et al. (2013) Effects of parenting style and parent-related weight and diet on adolescent weight status. J Pediatr Psychol 38:321-9
Zarrett, Nicole; Skiles, Brittany; Wilson, Dawn K et al. (2012) A qualitative study of staff's perspectives on implementing an after school program promoting youth physical activity. Eval Program Plann 35:417-26
Lawman, Hannah G; Wilson, Dawn K; Van Horn, M Lee et al. (2012) The role of motivation in understanding social contextual influences on physical activity in underserved adolescents in the ACT Trial: a cross-sectional study. Child Obes 8:542-50
Wilson, Dawn K; Lawman, Hannah G; Segal, Michelle et al. (2011) Neighborhood and parental supports for physical activity in minority adolescents. Am J Prev Med 41:399-406
Lawman, Hannah G; Wilson, Dawn K; Van Horn, M Lee et al. (2011) The relationship between psychosocial correlates and physical activity in underserved adolescent boys and girls in the ACT trial. J Phys Act Health 8:253-61
Wilson, Dawn K; Van Horn, M Lee; Kitzman-Ulrich, Heather et al. (2011) Results of the ""Active by Choice Today"" (ACT) randomized trial for increasing physical activity in low-income and minority adolescents. Health Psychol 30:463-71

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