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Obesity prevention in defined (high school) populations

International Journal of Obesity Supplements volume 2, pages S30–S32 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background:

A challenge for the widespread dissemination of Internet-based programs designed to produce weight maintenance/loss in defined (high school) populations is to adapt them to local needs and interests, whereas demonstrating effectiveness and salience for both universal and targeted populations.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to examine the feasibility of providing an inexpensive, Internet-based universal (healthy weight regulation) and targeted (weight maintenance/loss) health program to all ninth-grade students in a high school serving a lower socioecnomic status, diverse population.

Design:

A total of 118 normal-weight and 64 overweight/obese students in the same ninth-grade class completed a baseline screen and were allocated to a healthy weight regulation program or a weight-loss maintenance program. Both groups simultaneously received a 10-week Internet-based intervention. Program implementation required minimal teacher time. Measurement included self-reported fruit, vegetable and high-fat/-calorie food consumption, self-reported change in body mass index (BMI), weight and shape concerns, as well as program engagement.

Results:

The program was successfully implemented in nine classes, with minimal help from the investigators. There was a significant increase in self-reported consumption of fruits and vegetables (P=0.001). There was a significant reduction in self-reported BMI in the overweight/obese group (P=0.001). Students found the program helpful and engaging. There was a significant reduction in weight and shape concerns in the high-risk female students, consistent with a reduced risk for the development of an eating disorder. Providing a universal and targeted online healthy weight regulation program to ninth-grade students is feasible and inexpensive. The results suggest the program can serve as ‘core’ for future studies using adaptive, continuous quality-improvement designs.

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Acknowledgements

CBT received grant sponsorship from the NIMIA (I RO1MH081124-01A2) and the NHMRC (003813); JW received grant sponsorship from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Project Grant ID 1003813. We thank Healthmunk LLC for providing the software program, and the staff, faculty and students of Woodside High School for their help with this study. Publication of this supplement was partially supported by Nutrilite Health Institute with an unrestricted educational contribution to Stanford Prevention Research Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Stanford Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA

    C B Taylor, K Taylor, M Jones, A Shorter, M Yee, A Burrows, M Redman & P Romer

  2. PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, Stanford, CA, USA,

    K Taylor & A Burrows

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University Medical School, St Louis, MO, USA,

    B Genkin, A E Kass, M Rizk & D E Wilfley

  4. Royal Children's Hospital and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    J Williams

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  1. C B Taylor
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  2. K Taylor
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  4. A Shorter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C B Taylor.

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Competing interests

DEW received consulting fees from Jenny Craig/Nestle and United Health Group and grant support from Shire. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Taylor, C., Taylor, K., Jones, M. et al. Obesity prevention in defined (high school) populations. Int J Obes Supp 2 (Suppl 1), S30–S32 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijosup.2012.8

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