effects of a school-based intervention on bmi z-scores and fitness parameters in mississippi delta children

Background and objectives: although mississippi is making modest progress in childhood obesity prevention and reduction; most of the recent benefits are seen in white children. the purpose of eating good and moving like we should (egmlws), a schoolbased intervention was to create a successful program to prevent and reduce childhood obesity in the mississippi delta, among mostly african american students. methods: the program worked with third grades in 7 schools. it provided curricula, started school gardens, and school menu consultation. bmi s-scores were calculated and fitnessgram parameters were measured, including 20-m progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (pacer) and back-saver sit-and-reach (bssr). demographic and beginning heights and weights were analyzed using descriptive statistics. pre- and post-intervention bmi z-scores and fitnessgram scores for each school were compared using paired t-test. results: mean bmi z-scores were significantly lowered in 2 schools, not changed in 4 schools and increased in 2, although all schools had individuals with decreased bmi z-scores. pacer scores increased in 5 of 7 schools while sit-and-reach left and right scores increased in 5 and 6 of the 7 schools, respectively. all schools improved in at least one pacer measure, and 3 schools improved across all measures. conclusions: after one school year in egmlws, north ms delta third graders improved in both the pacer and sit-and-reach components of fitnessgram assessment. bmi z-scores were lowered in 2 schools and remained the same in 4 schools. also, bmi-z-scores did not rise over all schools and there was some lowering of bmi z-scores in every school, which was encouragement that school-based interventions can favorably impact bmi and fitness in primarily african american populations.