AN OBESITY PREVENTION PILOT PROGRAM FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS

This study examined the effects of an obesity prevention program on eating-related knowledge and behavior. Subjects included 24 African-American women and their preadolescent daughters living in a low-income urban housing complex. The dyads were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. The 6-week treatment addressed the identification of high- and low-fat foods, how to read food labels and calculate percentage of fat in calories in food, risks of high-fat eating, low-fat food planning and preparation, and the problems associated with obesity in general and within the African-American community in particular. Pre- and posttreatment measures included assessment of nutrition knowledge, nutrition attitudes, and food intake. Results showed that the treatment group, compared to controls, decreased their intake of fat in grams and in percentage of total calories. Additionally, differences within dyads showed that the mothers significantly improved their eating patterns (fat gram and fat percentage intake), more so than the daughters. A significant increase over time in nutrition knowledge was noted for the treatment group. Furthermore, although not significant, a trend for a greater increase in knowledge for the treatment group, as compared to the control group, was observed. These preliminary findings support the importance and effectiveness of parent-child prevention programs in high-risk communities.