Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

<p>Childhood obesity appears to be increasing throughout the world. China has joined the global epidemic. Childhood obesity is not only a chronic disease which is associated with lifestyle, but also a public health problem in children. Obesity intervention should become a public health priority in China. This thesis reports on intervention to treat and prevent childhood obesity. The field work was implemented in Beijing, China. </p><p>This thesis is based on four papers: Paper I evaluated the feasibility and impact of family-based behavior treatment on obese children. Two years of intervention resulted in obese children with improvements in body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. </p><p>Paper II assessed the effects of a school-based intervention on obesity among primary school children. After a three-year intervention, the prevalence of overweight and obesity were significantly lower in the intervention schools than in the control schools. Fewer non-obese children became obese in the intervention schools than in the control schools. </p><p>Paper III explored the family related factors of overweight in 2- to 6-year-old children. Significant associations were observed between children’s overweight and parent characteristics for frequency of eating in restaurants, daily time spent viewing television, and engaging in physical activity. Child overweight was associated with parental overweight, low maternal education level and television watching >2h/d. </p><p>Paper IV investigated how grandparents influence their young grandchildren’s eating behaviors in Chinese three-generation families, using qualitative method. Three domains identified through the seven themes included: (1) Grandparents as primary caretakers of children in the three-generation family, (2) Grandparents' attitudes to child nutrition and healthy eating habits, and (3) The role of food as an educational and emotional tool. The results showed that nutrition education involving grandparents is thus a potential framework for improving healthy dietary behaviors in young children.</p>

Childhood obesity appears to be increasing throughout the world. China has joined the global epidemic. Childhood obesity is not only a chronic disease which is associated with lifestyle, but also a public health problem in children. Obesity intervention should become a public health priority in China. This thesis reports on intervention to treat and prevent childhood obesity. The field work was implemented in Beijing, China. This thesis is based on four papers: Paper I evaluated the feasibility and impact of family-based behavior treatment on obese children. Two years of intervention resulted in obese children with improvements in body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. Paper II assessed the effects of a school-based intervention on obesity among primary school children. After a three-year intervention, the prevalence of overweight and obesity were significantly lower in the intervention schools than in the control schools. Fewer non-obese children became obese in the intervention schools than in the control schools. Paper III explored the family related factors of overweight in 2- to 6-year-old children. Significant associations were observed between children’s overweight and parent characteristics for frequency of eating in restaurants, daily time spent viewing television, and engaging in physical activity. Child overweight was associated with parental overweight, low maternal education level and television watching &gt;2h/d. Paper IV investigated how grandparents influence their young grandchildren’s eating behaviors in Chinese three-generation families, using qualitative method. Three domains identified through the seven themes included: (1) Grandparents as primary caretakers of children in the three-generation family, (2) Grandparents' attitudes to child nutrition and healthy eating habits, and (3) The role of food as an educational and emotional tool. The results showed that nutrition education involving grandparents is thus a potential framework for improving healthy dietary behaviors in young children.

Obesity has been described as a global health crisis due to the rapid increases seen worldwide (Whitlock et al., 2005; Harris et al., 2009; Yetter, 2009). The consequences of obesity are far-reaching and include the physiological and psychological implications for obese individuals, as well as the financial impact it has on both the individual and national health care. Children, especially those of minority ethnic background and lower socioeconomic status, are at increased risk for developing obesity (Yetter, 2009; Veldhuis et al., 2009). Intervention programs targeting underlying causes of childhood obesity have been developed, but little consistent success has been achieved (Summerbell et al., 2005; Sherry, 2005). One factor that could be influencing the lack of success is the stigmatization that can be felt by children taking part in intervention programs. Furthermore, many programs have targeted behavior change without determining underlying attitudes about behaviors. It is critical that effective obesity intervention programs be developed for children at high risk of developing obesity. This study used indirect messaging to address health issues related to overweight and obesity in children. An education program about animal health was presented to two groups of eight and nine year old children. The program included a combination of classroom instruction and practical application both in the classroom and at the Palm Beach Zoo with real animals. The children's attitude, knowledge, and practice of healthy behavior was measured before and after exposure to the program to evaluate its effect. It was hypothesized that learning about what being healthy entails for animals will have positive implications for the children's own health. It was found that children who participated in this study were already knowledgeable about healthy behaviors and also had overall positive attitudes towards health. However, they did not have high levels of health behavior practices. Participation in the program did not significantly improve the knowledge, attitudes, or practice of health behavior in the children. Zoos should consider designing program that specifically target increasing the practice of health behaviors in children.

Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 20-21).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of La Verne, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 132-138).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of La Verne, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-138).

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-45).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-197). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves : [84]-89).