Citation

de Heer HD, Koehly L, Pederson R, Morera O. Am. J. Public Health 2011; 101(10): 1907-1913.

Affiliation

Northern Arizona University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2011.300177

PMID

21852659

Abstract

Objectives. We evaluated the effectiveness and spillover of an after-school health education and physical activity program among Hispanic elementary school children. Methods. In fall 2008, students in third through fifth grades in 6 schools in El Paso, Texas (n=901), were randomized to intervention (n=292 participants) or control (n=354) classrooms (4 unknown). Intervention classrooms also contained a spillover group (n=251) that did not join the after-school program but that completed measurements and surveys. The intervention was a 12-week culturally tailored after-school program meeting twice a week. Four-month outcomes were body mass index, aerobic capacity, and dietary intentions and knowledge. We calculated intervention exposure as the proportion of after-school participants per classroom. Results. Intervention exposure predicted lower body mass index (P=.045), higher aerobic capacity (P=.012), and greater intentions to eat healthy (P=.046) for the classroom at follow-up. Intervention effectiveness increased with increasing proportions of intervention participants in a classroom. Nonparticipants who had classroom contact with program participants experienced health improvements that could reduce their risk of obesity. Conclusions. Spillover of beneficial intervention effects to nonparticipants is a valuable public health benefit and should be part of program impact assessments. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print August 18, 2011: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300177).

Language: en