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 this alarming trend in childhood obesity rates. Although school-based behavioral interventions to address PA in children and adolescents have been conducted, little evidence suggests that these curriculum-based approaches lead to increases in overall PA. The present proposal will evaluate the efficacy of an innovative student-centered after-school program for promoting lifestyle changes in PA (7-day accelerometer assessment) 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 activities that generate fun and interest, and participate in generating their own coping strategies for making effective PA behavior changes during a videotaped session. Preliminary data is presented from our research team that demonstrates the feasibility of the student-centered PA program on increasing moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in underserved adolescents in South Carolina. The present application will use a school-based nested cohort design to evaluate the efficacy of a 6-month student-centered program versus a typical after school program on increasing PA at post-intervention and at 6-months follow-up in underserved adolescents. A total of 24 middle schools (120 6 th graders per school; N=2,880), located in South Carolina will be randomly assigned to one of two after-school programs (student-centered intervention, typical after-school program). We will analyze the data using a repeated measures analysis of covariance using SAS/PROC MIXED methods as outlined by Murray. In addition, mediational analyses will examine the association between psychosocial variables (PA self-efficacy, self-concept, motivation, social support, and enjoyment) and MVPA. Mediation will be tested using regression and structural equation modeling techniques as outlined by Baron and Kenny. This study will address an important public health problem that has implications for decreasing obesity in children and adolescents. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01HD045693-01A1S1
Application #
7021308
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
2005-03-01
Budget End
2005-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$5,724
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
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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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