Moving "Niños Obesos" Project: Reducing Obesity in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Children

Introduction: Globally childhood obesity is increasing (Bauer, 2015; Brown, Kuk & Lee, 2015; Falkner, 2015).Treating obesity-related illness in Florida (25%) costs $6,675,940. Latino children are at a greater risk of obesity with prevalence increasing over time; obese south Florida children (20%) are more likely to develop Diabetes Type 2 and cardiovascular disease.  National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Miami Chapter was a site for Muevete USA™ Project (2012-2015) to reduce USA Hispanic childhood obesity. The program funded by Coca-Cola Foundation (Milan, 2011) was in partnership with U.S. 1^stLady Michelle Obama Let’s Move (www.letsmove.gov). The 2016 project will occur at summer camps at Miami Dade College, Barry University and at a Miami Marlins Baseball game funded by Pepsi Foundation.

Purpose: To determine if an education program can increase the level of knowledge preventing childhood obesity focusing on 1) awareness/understanding of food labels; 2) daily portions of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, protein; 3) incorporating daily physical activity and exercises.

Conceptual Framework: King's (1981) concept of perception from Goal Attianment Theory served as the theoretical framework. Perception is a process of organizing, interpreting and transforming information from sense data and memory. It gives meaning to one's expereince, represents one's image of reality and influences one's behavior.

Methodology: A descriptive exploratory research design was conducted with summer camp children completing five pre/post tests of 15 questions - “My Plate”; “Food Label”; “Physical Activity and Exercise” “Healthy Snacks”  and “Goal Setting”. Content validity was established. Community Health ASN & RN-BSN students (90) participated in Muevete projects at South campus (three years) and Homestead (2^nd & 3^rdyears). Students, received 10 community hours for orientation, designing posters and attending events. Children (4-15), were divided into 12 groups with two students/group; taking food cutouts, making plates with appropriate portions, nutritional requirements and reading labels. A FDA representative taught hand washing techniques.

Results: At the 1^st site over 383 with 130 children participating (2013); ages 5-12;  males 50%, females 50%; mostly Hispanics All mean scores increased pre-to posttest 1^st test 3.13-4.67;  2^nd test 2.94-3.72 3^rd test 3.50-4.55 4^th  test 3.50- 4.13; 5^th  test 2.96-3.52; 125 children participated (2014) ages ranged 4-15 mean= 8 years, kg-8th grade males-62%, females 38%; Hispanic  55%, White 30%; Black 9%  Asian 6%; pretest-posttest scores increased 9.40--10.68, 13.62% change;  128 children participated (2015) ages ranged 4-15 mean= 8.51 years, kg-8th grade males- 59%,  females 41%; Hispanic 74%, White 20%; Black 5%  Asian 1%; pretest-posttest scores increased 9.77--11.81, 42% change. At the 2nd site over 211 with 102 children participating (2014) ages ranged 4-15 mean= 9 years; males- 54% females 46%. Hispanic 41%, Black 38%,  White 13%, Asian-8% pretest-posttest scores increasing 8.33-9.45, a 13% change. 109 children participated (2015) ages ranged 5-12 mean= 8.51 years; males- 65% females 41%. Hispanic  41%, Black 36%,  White 22%, Asian-1% pretest-posttest scores increasing 9.77-11.81, a 21% change. This 2016 data will be compared to the 2013, 2014 and 2015 data.

Discussion: Children (594) drew plates with food portions (www.choosemyplate.gov), ate healthy snacks, exercised and danced to the Zumba, did hand washing techniques, loved “Moving-On” t-shirts. Parents received nutrition classes. Most missed question -“How much Sodium is in entire food product?” on a food label. Sodium is 440 mg but for 4 servings = 1760mg.

Conclusion: Children learned healthy food habits to overcome childhood obesity. This program increases knowledge of obesity for Hispanic/non-Hispanic children and associated healthcare costs