The broad, long-term goal of this proposal is to establish a comprehensive program for the prevention of obesity among schoolchildren of the White Mountain Apache Tribe in Whiteriver, Arizona.
The specific aims for this three-year project (Phase I) are: a) to assess the prevalence and characteristics of obesity among children attending all six elementary schools in the Apache reservation (grades k-5); b) to identify the major dietary, cultural and behavioral factors associated with excess body weight among elementary school children; c) to evaluate the feasibility of interventions aimed at modifying dietary energy intake and physical activity of schoolchildren; d) to develop and test the instruments and to train the personnel needed to support a school-based long-term intervention for the prevention of obesity; and e) to collaborate with other field sites in the development of a muticenter, randomized intervention trial for the prevention of obesity in American Indian school children. Using social sciences research techniques, our proposal will identify the major behavioral and psychosocial risk factors associated with obesity in elementary school children. We will then develop school-based interventions focused on behavioral change and participatory learning. These interventions will be complemented with family-based programs to ensure consistent parental involvement, and to engage childrens as agents of change. An important consideration will be to develop interventions with strongest potential for long-term self-sustainability. To achieve these goals, we have assembled a multidisciplinary team of experts in pediatric obesity, social sciences, nutrition education, American Indian health, epidemiology and biostatistics. Building on 15 years of continuing collaboration between the Whiteriver Apache community and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, our proposal has received strong support from the White Mountain Apache Tribe, the Whiteriver Unified School District, and the Whiteriver Indian Health Service Unit.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01HL050869-02
Application #
2227210
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1-CCT-G (S2))
Project Start
1993-09-30
Project End
1996-08-31
Budget Start
1994-09-01
Budget End
1995-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
045911138
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Page-Reeves, Janet; Davis, Sally; Romero, Camilla et al. (2015) Understanding ""agency"" in the translation of a health promotion program. Prev Sci 16:11-20
Going, Scott B (2010) Physical activity measurements: lessons learned from the pathways study. J Public Health Manag Pract 16:420-5
Stevens, June; Suchindran, Chirayath; Ring, Kim et al. (2004) Physical activity as a predictor of body composition in American Indian children. Obes Res 12:1974-80
Gittelsohn, Joel; Davis, Sally M; Steckler, Allan et al. (2003) Pathways: lessons learned and future directions for school-based interventions among American Indians. Prev Med 37:S107-12
Cunningham-Sabo, Leslie; Snyder, M Patricia; Anliker, Jean et al. (2003) Impact of the Pathways food service intervention on breakfast served in American-Indian schools. Prev Med 37:S46-54
Himes, John H; Ring, Kim; Gittelsohn, Joel et al. (2003) Impact of the Pathways intervention on dietary intakes of American Indian schoolchildren. Prev Med 37:S55-61
Steckler, Allan; Ethelbah, Becky; Martin, Catherine Jane et al. (2003) Pathways process evaluation results: a school-based prevention trial to promote healthful diet and physical activity in American Indian third, fourth, and fifth grade students. Prev Med 37:S80-90
Caballero, Benjamin; Clay, Theresa; Davis, Sally M et al. (2003) Pathways: a school-based, randomized controlled trial for the prevention of obesity in American Indian schoolchildren. Am J Clin Nutr 78:1030-8
Story, Mary; Stevens, June; Himes, John et al. (2003) Obesity in American-Indian children: prevalence, consequences, and prevention. Prev Med 37:S3-12
Going, Scott; Thompson, Janice; Cano, Stephanie et al. (2003) The effects of the Pathways Obesity Prevention Program on physical activity in American Indian children. Prev Med 37:S62-9

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