Development and Pilot Testing a Social Cognitive Theory-Based Intervention to Prevent Childhood Obesity among Elementary Students in Rural Kentucky

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot test a social cognitive theory-based intervention for children to prevent childhood obesity. Focus groups were conducted with 5th grade students and their parents on the behaviors of physical activity, watching television, and eating habits, specifically fruit and vegetable intake and water consumption. Results from the focus groups were used to develop a 12-week program which was pilot tested in 5th grade physical education classes. The 12-week intervention was conducted with 122 students at a rural elementary school in Kentucky. Significant findings from the intervention were the increase in expectations for drinking water ( p = 0.049), increase in expectations for watching television ( p = 0.002), and increase in the number of glasses of water consumed ( p = 0.022) from pre-test to post-test. Recommendations have been offered for future obesity reduction programs that can be implemented in the elementary schools.