Sustained body mass index changes one and two years post MATCH: A school-based wellness intervention in adolescents

Background: Few school interventions to curb childhood obesity have impacted BMI. This study assesses the effect on BMI of Motivating Adolescents with Technology to Choose Health (MATCH). Methods: A single-site cohort intervention study with pre/post design and longitudinal follow-up was used to assess the effect of MATCH at one middle school with high obesity prevalence in rural North Carolina. MATCH, a teacher-initiated, interdisciplinary, wellness education program modeled on social cognitive theory that was adapted to the standard course of study, includes selfevaluation and goal setting for behavior change and physical activity. Participants included two cohorts entering 7th grade in 2006 and 2007. Primary outcomes are BMI z-score and BMI percentile for age/gender. "Success" is defined as decrease in BMI z-score postintervention for the combined overweight and obese (all-overweight) subgroup. Results: At baseline, 25% and 15% were overweight and 36% and 32% were obese in Cohort 1 (n = 92) and Cohort 2 (n = 105), respectively. Immediately postintervention and during follow-up, each cohort significantly reduced all-overweight BMI z-score and BMI percentile. Median change in BMI z-score and BMI percentile, and success rates were as follows: in Cohort 1, -0.08, -0.2, and 72% (postintervention); -0.08, -1.0, and 72% (15-month follow-up); and -0.17, -2.4, and 75% (30-month follow-up), respectively; and in Cohort 2, -0.04, -0.1, and 66% (postintervention) and -0.1, -0.8, and 71% (15-month follow-up), respectively. BMI measures in the healthy weight subgroup changed minimally postintervention for Cohort 1 only (median change z-score, BMI percentile, -0.1, -4.7). Conclusions: MATCH is a promising obesity intervention within existing curriculum with sustained improved weight status. © 2011 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Duke Scholars

Author Eliana Miller Perrin Pediatrics, General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health