Author/Authors :
Knight Kathy B. نويسنده Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, University of Mississippi, 108 Lenoir Hall, PO Box 1848, University, MS 38677, USA , Cole Janie W. نويسنده Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management,
University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA , Dodd Lacy M. نويسنده Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management,
University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA , Oakley Charlotte B. نويسنده Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management,
University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
Abstract :
Background While teachers and school nurses may not be able to
provide nutrition education to students because of their other duties,
registered dietitians have the necessary training in counseling,
nutrition education, nutrition therapy, and food service management to
be effective at childhood obesity prevention. Objectives The purpose of
eating good and moving like we should (EGMLWS), a school-based
intervention, was to create a successful program to prevent and reduce
childhood obesity in the Mississippi Delta by providing nutrition
education by a registered dietitian. Methods The subjects were 1,891
third (school year 2012 - 2013) and fourth graders (2013 - 2014) in 7
Mississippi schools in the north Mississippi River Delta region. The
school-based nutrition and physical activity education program was
designed to address overweight and obesity in the Mississippi Delta and
north Mississippi regions by helping children make healthier nutrition
and physical activity choices. The registered dietitian provided
nutrition education and consulted to make school menus healthier and
more appealing. Pre-and post-school year heights and weights were
measured. Results Paired t-tests showed significantly lowered mean BMI
in 5 schools (P < 0.05); no change in 2 schools and no change
over all schools, although all schools had individuals with decreased
BMI. Conclusions School-based nutrition interventions that feature a
registered dietitian can make an impact. The EGMLWS program improved the
nutrition knowledge and nutrition-related attitudes of north Mississippi
Delta third and fourth graders and significantly improved BMI in 5 of 7
schools.
