O sobrepeso/obesidade é uma condição multifatorial e poligênica que pode resultar em desequilíbrio calórico. Uma vez instalada, a obesidade tende a se manter, de modo que a prevenção figura como principal recurso e, a compreensão das causas, essencial. Este estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar a associação da expressão de genes relacionados à obesidade, inflamação e perfil lipídico em gestantes com sobrepeso/obesidade e eutróficas, na adiposidade dos recém-nascidos. Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, inserido em estudo coorte de base populacional, realizado em 33 Unidades Básicas de Saúde e em hospital municipal de Araraquara (SP). Foram acompanhadas desde o início do pré-natal até o pós-parto, 78 gestantes, das quais 46 delas eram obesas ou com sobrepeso e 32, eutróficas. Trimestralmente, realizava-se aplicação de questionário digital sociodemográfico, de estilo de vida e morbidade, exames de ultrassonografia e exames de sangue para determinação de: glicemia de jejum, insulina, colesterol total, LDL, HDL, VLDL, triglicérides e PCR-us, hemoglobina glicada e hemograma completo). A análise da expressão gênica materna foi realizada apenas no terceiro trimestre, utilizando o método de extração por fenolclorofórmio para obter RNA a partir do sangue total, e a expressão gênica relativa foi analisada em triplicata por RT-qPCR no equipamento 7500 Fast Real PCR System (Applied Biosystems®, USA). A adiposidade do neonato foi estimada por pletismografia por deslocamento de ar (PEA POD®), na alta hospitalar. O presente estudo é inédito e mostrou que tanto o fator genético (expressão gênica dos genes LEPR, STAT3, PPARG, TLR4, IL6, NFkB e TNF) como fatores nutricionais e metabólicos maternos (IMC pré-gestacional, ganho de peso, HOMA-IR e diabetes mellitus gestacional) estão relacionados com a adiposidade do concepto logo após ao nascimento. O desenvolvimento fetal é um processo biológico complexo, regulado tanto por fatores maternos quanto fetais, incluindo influências genéticas e ambientais. Os mecanismos genéticos influenciam a regulação anti e pró-inflamatória que têm impacto na saúde materna. Expressões de sete dos dez genes investigados mostraram-se estatisticamente associados com a adiposidade do recém-nascido, independente de alguns genes serem mais ou menos expressos em gestantes obesas/sobrepeso. Portanto, o entendimento das diferentes vias do processo inflamatório, imunológico e sinalização da resistência à insulina são intimamente relacionados e dependentes. A elucidação dos fatores envolvidos no início da vida, observados neste estudo, e que podem ser prevenidos no pré-natal, devem ser cruciais para as políticas de saúde pública, na prevenção da obesidade infantil. / Overweight/obesity is a multicausal and polygenic condition that can result in energy imbalance. Once obesity tends to persist, prevention is the more effective strategy and understanding its causes is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the association of the gene expression related to obesity, inflammation and lipid profile in overweight/obese and eutrophic pregnant women and in newborn adiposity. It is a prospective study, inserted in a cohort study with population-based data, which was carried out at 33 Health Units and at a municipal maternity in Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Seventy-eight pregnant women were followed since conception until postpartum, of whom 46 were obese or overweight and 32 were eutrophic. Every trimester, a sociodemographic, lifestyle and morbidity questionnaire was applied, ultrasonography and blood tests (fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, VLDL, triglycerides and hs-CRP, glycated hemoglobin and complete blood count). The analysis of maternal gene expression was performed only in the third trimester, using the phenolchloroform extraction method to obtain RNA from whole blood, and relative gene expression was analyzed in triplicate by RT-qPCR in the 7500 Fast Real PCR System (Applied Biosystems®, USA). Newborn adiposity was estimated by air displacement plethysmography (PEA POD®) at hospital discharge. As far as we know this is the first study that verified that both genetic factors (LEPR, STAT3, PPARG, TLR4, IL6, NFkB and TNF gene expressions) and maternal nutritional and metabolic factors (pre-gestational BMI, gestational weight gain, HOMA-IR and gestational diabetes) are related to newborn adiposity at birth. Genetic mechanisms that participate in pro and anti-inflammatory regulation impact on maternal health, that may consequently play a role in the complex biological process of fetal development, that depends not only from maternal and fetal factors, but also of genetic and environmental influences. Expression of seven from ten genes investigated were statistically associated with newborn adiposity, regardless that some genes were more and other less expressed in obese/overweight pregnant women. Understanding immune and inflammatory pathways and insulin resistance signaling is crucial because its close association to maternal and newborn obesity, as observed in this study. The elucidation of factors involved in early life, as shown, should guide prenatal care in public health policies to prevent childhood obesity.

A obesidade, ou o corpo obeso, é uma condição que vem atingindo a adultos e a crianças, análises sobre esta realidade merecem ser investigadas na perspectiva das emoções. Sabe-se que a alimentação é um fenômeno complexo, possuindo múltiplos determinantes. Com relação ao fator psicológico, sabe-se que suas bases estão relacionadas à figura materna e que alterações no desenvolvimento da criança relacionadas a esta são um dos fatores etiológicos de problemas alimentares, como o da obesidade. Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender as vivências relacionadas à alimentação de mães de filhos obesos com as suas próprias mães e a forma como esta relação pode influenciar no cuidado com a alimentação de seus filhos. A abordagem é qualitativa, utilizando a entrevista compreensiva como abordagem empírica. Foram entrevistadas doze mães, com filhos crianças ou adolescentes que tiverem o diagnóstico de obesidade. Observou-se que a alimentação, dentro do contexto de vida contemporâneo, traz o paradoxo do excesso de objetos disponíveis ao consumo, de novos produtos a todo tempo no mercado, acompanhado de relações vazias e da falta de laços. A obesidade traz a questão do vazio e do alimento como um objeto preenchedor do mesmo. A pesquisa em questão apontou para a existência de processos identitários entre mães e filhos, havendo questões mal resolvidas das mães projetadas em suas relações com seus filhos com obesidade, mediadas pelo ato de alimentar. Outros fatores como crenças sócio- culturais e relacionadas ao gênero também estariam exercendo influência sobre os comportamentos maternos frente a alimentação de seus filhos. / The obesity, or the obese body, is a condition that is affecting adults and children, analysis of this reality deserve to be investigated from the emotions perspective. Its known that feeding is a complex phenomenon, with multiple determinants. About the psychological factors, its known that theyre linked to the maternal figure and changes in the children development related to this are one of the etiological factors of eating problems such as obesity. This study aimed to understand the mothers of obese children feeding experiences, with their own mothers, and how this relationship can influence the feeding care with their children. The research is qualitative, using the comprehensive interview as empirical approach. Twelve mothers of children or teenagers, diagnosed with obesity, were interviewed. It was observed that food, at the context of contemporary life, brings the paradox of the excess objects available for consumption, new products all the time on the market, accompanied by shallow relationships and lack of ties. Obesity raises the question of emptiness and food as a filler object. This research pointed to the existence of identity processes between mothers and obese children, involving unresolved mothers issues projected in their relationships with their children, mediated by the feeding practice. Other factors such as socio-cultural and gender beliefs were also influencing maternal feeding behaviors with their children.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2017-02-06T17:10:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RENATA MACHADO PINTO.pdf: 1879389 bytes, checksum: 1e831384ae5ac2534e9b7187fd6e1ae5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-06T17:10:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RENATA MACHADO PINTO.pdf: 1879389 bytes, checksum: 1e831384ae5ac2534e9b7187fd6e1ae5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-26 / The worldwide prevalence of obesity has increased at an alarming rate in all age groups. Although it has been described some rare obesity syndromes caused by mutations in single genes, the highest proportion of obesity results from an interaction between variants in multiple genes (susceptible genotype) and a favorable environment (plenty of calories and lack of physical activity). Classically, it has been studied genes involved in the control of intake, energy expenditure and the metabolism of glucose and lipids. In the last decade the discovery of numerous substances secreted by adipocytes among them hormones and inflammatory cytokines opened a new research front. The “Reward Deficient Syndrome” (RDS) is characterized as a hypodopaminegic state that predisposes to obsessive-compulsive behavior and impulsivity. Obesity is part of the RDS, as the individual overeats as a manner to compensate de dopamine defect. In this context, this study was designed to investigate the relationship between childhood onset obesity and polymorphisms of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and the Dopamine D2 Receptor (DRD2). Our research is a case control study that included 105 children, being 55 obese and 50 normal weight (control group). Peripheral blood samples were collected for the determination of lipid profile, glucose and insulin levels, and for the evaluation of the genetic polymorphisms of TNF- gene (G308A) and DRD2 (Taq1 - C32806T), by ARMS-PCR and RFLP-PCR, respectively. Genetic variants of the SNP G308A TNF- failed to confirm a participation in weight gain in children. The A1 allele (T) of the Taq1 polymorphism in the DRD2 gene was associated with an increase in childhood obesity and higher BMI of the parents, corroborating some data of the literature. Our results showed for the first time that the A1 allele is associated with Total Cholesterol 70 mg/dl, minor levels of triglycerides and a relative risk of 1.5 for HOMA ß secretion. Understanding how genetic variations affect the tendency to become or remain obese is an important step in understanding the mechanisms that lead to obesity. / A prevalência mundial da obesidade tem aumentado a um ritmo alarmante em todos os grupos etários. Embora tenham sido descritas algumas síndromes raras de obesidade causadas por mutações em genes individuais, a maior proporção de obesidade resulta de uma interação entre variantes em vários genes (genótipo suscetível) e um ambiente favorável (abundância de calorias e falta de atividade física). Classicamente, tem-se estudado genes envolvidos no controle da ingestão, do gasto de energia e do metabolismo da glicose e lipídios. Na última década a descoberta de numerosas substâncias secretadas pelos adipócitos, entre elas hormônios e citocinas inflamatórias abriu uma nova frente de pesquisa. A "Síndrome de Deficiência de Recompensa" (RDS) é caracterizada como um estado hipodopaminérgico que predispõe a comportamentos obsessivo-compulsivos e impulsividade. A obesidade é parte da RDS, já que o indivíduo come demais como uma forma de compensar o defeito nos níveis de dopamina. Neste contexto, o presente estudo foi desenhado para investigar a relação entre a obesidade de início na infância e polimorfismos do fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF- ) e do Receptor D2 de dopamina (DRD2). Nossa pesquisa é um estudo de caso-controle que incluiu 105 crianças, sendo 55 obesas e 50 eutróficas (grupo controle). Amostras de sangue periférico foram colhidas para a determinação do perfil de lipídios, glicemia e os níveis de insulina, e para a avaliação dos polimorfismos do gene do TNF - (G308A) e DRD2 - C32806T), por ARMS - PCR e PCR - RFLP, respectivamente. Variantes genéticas do SNP G308A do TNF- não conseguiu confirmar uma participação no ganho de peso em crianças. O alelo A1 (T) do polimorfismo Taq1A do gene DRD2 foi associado a um aumento da obesidade infantil e IMC superior dos pais, corroborando alguns dados da literatura. Os nossos resultados mostram pela primeira vez que o alelo A1 está associado a colesterol total , a menores níveis de triglicérides, e confere um risco relativo de 1,5 para HOMA ß proteção contra a secreção de insulina prejudicada. A compreensão de como variações genéticas afetam a tendência de tornar-se ou permanecer obeso é um passo importante na compreensão dos mecanismos que levam à obesidade.

La légitimation scientifique et institutionnelle des bénéfices de l’activité physique (AP) régulière sur la prévention du surpoids et de l’obésité a rendu possible le développement de nouvelles dynamiques professionnelles autour de l’AP dans les Réseaux de prévention et de prise en charge de l’obésité en pédiatrie (Réppop). La création d’une nouvelle offre de service en AP destinée à soutenir un engagement des jeunes patients dans une pratique physique régulière, mobilise la profession médicale (médecins généralistes, pédiatres, médecins du sport), les professions paramédicales (diététiciens, kinésithérapeutes) et les professionnels du sport et de l’activité physique (professeurs d’Activité Physique Adaptée et Santé (APAS), éducateurs sportifs). A l’interface de la sociologie des groupes professionnels et de la sociologie du sport, la thèse a pour objectif d’étudier la construction d’un territoire Activité Physique Adaptée et Santé (APAS) dans les Répop. Ces dispositifs présentent la particularité d’être en cours de construction et de mobiliser des groupes professionnels dans un projet global à partir de leurs compétences spécifiques et de compétences transversales. A côté des groupes établis dans le champ médical, le groupe émergent de l’APAS s’appuie sur cet espace transversal pour construire son territoire spécifique, dans une situation de collaboration qui suscite paradoxalement des concurrences directes avec les autres groupes en présence. La dynamique est étudiée au carrefour des perspectives des professions, de celles des jeunes patients et de leur famille ainsi que de celles de l’Etat, en cohérence avec l’approche théorique d’Andrew Abbott (2003). / Scientific and academic recognition of the benefits of regular physical activity (PA) in the prevention of overweight and obesity has made possible the development of new professional dynamics around PA in childhood obesity prevention and management networks—known as REPOPs—in France. The creation of a new offer of PA services intended to encourage young patients in their commitment to regularly engage in physical activity rallies together the medical profession (general practitioners, paediatricians, sports medicine physicians), other healthcare professions (dieticians, physiotherapists), and sports and physical activity professionals (Adapted Physical Activity and Health (APAH) teachers, sport teachers). Lying at the interface between the sociology of professional groups and the sociology of sport, this paper aims to study the creation of a jurisdiction of Adapted Physical Activity and Health (APAH) in REPOPs. These systems have the distinctive feature of being under construction and bringing together the specific and interdisciplinary competencies of professional groups around a common project. Alongside the groups already established in the medical field, the emerging APAH group is using this multidisciplinary arena to build its own jurisdiction in a collaborative manner that, paradoxically, is giving rise to direct competition with the other groups. Using Andrew Abbott’s theoretical approach (2003), this dynamic is explored at the point where the perspectives of the professions, those of young patients and their families, and those of the government, converge.

Submitted by Daniella Santos (daniella.santos@ufma.br) on 2017-08-11T16:25:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Lilian Cavalcante.pdf: 2247557 bytes, checksum: 4945eb34fa27f507f7c034437b4eae18 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-11T16:25:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lilian Cavalcante.pdf: 2247557 bytes, checksum: 4945eb34fa27f507f7c034437b4eae18 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-15 / Introduction: Obesity rates are rising significantly in the world. Cesarean delivery has been associated with increased obesity at all stages of life. Our objective was to evaluate the causal effect between cesarean delivery and body mass index in children. Methods: A cohort study was carried out, including 3,205 children between 1 and 3 years of age, born in 2010. After birth, 5,475 mothers and children were evaluated. Information on the type of delivery, maternal and child characteristics such as sociodemographic, morbidity and anthropometric conditions were collected. For the analysis of the causal effect a Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAG) was constructed to select the variables for minimum adjustment. Statistical analysis showed interchangeability between groups. Overweight in children by body mass index for age was defined by z> +2 score. Results: Of the 3,205 children evaluated (51.3% female), 48% were born by cesarean delivery, only 0.2% of the newborns were small for gestational age and 8.9% of the children were overweight. There was inadequacy of prenatal care in 37.8% of pregnancies. There is no causal relationship between cesarean delivery and body mass index in children between 1 and 3 years of age. Conclusion: The causal effect of cesarean section on the BMI of children was not observed. Through the methodology used, it was possible to attenuate possible biases of confounding and collision, and interchangeability between groups was observed. / Introdução: As taxas de obesidade estão aumentando significativamente no mundo. O parto cesáreo tem sido associado ao aumento de obesidade em todas as fases da vida. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar o efeito causal entre parto cesáreo e o índice de massa corporal em crianças. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo do tipo coorte que incluiu 3.205 crianças entre 1 e 3 anos de idade, nascidas no ano de 2010. Após o nascimento, foram avaliados 5.475 mães e filhos. Informações sobre o tipo de parto, características maternas e do filho como condições sociodemográficas, morbidade e antropométricas foram coletadas. Para análise do efeito causal foi construído um Gráfico acíclico direcionado (DAG) para escolha das varáveis para ajuste mínimo. Após análise estatística foi verificado a permutabilidade entre os grupos. O excesso de peso nas crianças pelo índice de massa corporal para idade foi definido por escore z > +2. Resultado: Das 3.205 crianças avaliadas (51,3% do sexo feminino), 48% nasceram por parto cesáreo, apenas 0,2% dos recém nascidos foram pequenos para idade gestacional e 8,9% das crianças apresentaram excesso de peso .Houve inadequação do pré-natal em 37,8% das gestações. Não há relação de causa entre o parto cesáreo e índice de massa corporal em crianças entre 1 a 3 anos de idade. Conclusão: Não observou-se o efeito causal do parto cesáreo no IMC de crianças. Através da metodologia utilizada foi possível atenuar possíveis viéses de confundimento e colisão e foi observado permutabilidade entre os grupos.

This study examined the TPB constructs of attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms and their ability to predict healthy eating and physical activity behaviors among adolescents living in Southern Appalachia. The study also considered the relative utility of subjective norms and social support in predicting these behaviors. Data for this research were derived from a larger study, Team Up for Healthy Living, conducted September 2011 through November 2014 with high school students in the Appalachian region (Study ID: R01MD006200 from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities). Participants (n=963) completed a three-part paper survey collecting data about eating habits, physical activity, sedentary behaviors, weight status, and demographics. Study results indicated more than half of the study population was classified as overweight (20.7%) or obese (31.4%). They had high rates of physical activity, low rates of sedentary behavior, and healthy dietary behaviors, compared to national norms. Approximately, 42.8% reported drinking at least one soda daily and 42.9% consumed 1-6 sodas over the course of seven days. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated attitude (Beta = .110, t (824) = 2.83, p < .005) and perceived behavioral control (Beta = .147, t (824) = 3.14, p < .001) were the strongest predictors of healthy eating behaviors. For physical activity, the strongest predictors of behavior were attitude (Beta = .186, t (839) = 5.21, p < .001) and social support (Beta = .347, t (839) = 9.09, p < .001). Comparison of subjective norms and social support revealed subjective norms were a better predictor of healthy eating behaviors, and social support was a better predictor of physical activity. The results of this study indicate that behavior theories are effective at identifying motivating factors for health behaviors in unique populations.

Introduction: Childhood obesity has more than quadrupled in the last 30 years, with the prevalence in adolescents aged 12-17 years increasing from 5% in 1980 to 21% in 2012. The purpose of this study was to estimate the extent to which childhood obesity in Tennessee is associated with between-context differences (districts, schools and classes) and to identify factors at the district, school, class, and individual level that influence the individual weight status among 64,790 Tennessee children and adolescents. Methods: Crosssectional data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted in Tennessee (2010) were used to conduct multilevel analyses that account for the nesting of students in classes, classes in schools and schools in districts. The outcome variable was childhood obesity (>95th percentile). Explanatory variables included district-level factors (the proportion of children wearing seat belts or helmets in district and the proportion of being asked to show proof of age), school-level factors (current tobacco use in school, and HIV/AIDS education in school), class-level factors (the average of smoking days in past 30 days and the proportion of ever having exercised to lose weight in class) and individual-level factors (state geographical regions, age, gender, grade, ever ridden in a car driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol, ever carried a weapon, made a plan to kill yourself, ever used or early onset use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, exercised to control weight, school day television time, days of physical education (PE) classes. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results: Multilevel analyses indicate that 0.90%, 0.08%, and 0.45% of the variation in obesity is associated with class, school and district differences, respectively. Male middle schoolers were at greater risk for obesity [OR: 1.82, C.I. (1.75, 1.89)] compared to females. For every one year increase in age, the relative odds of obesity increased by 11% (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.88-0.91). Students with worse grades were more likely to have obesity [OR: 1.33, C.I. (1.13, 1.56)]. Students who watched TV 3 hours or more per day were more likely to be obese [OR: 1.31, C.I. (1.23, 1.40)] compared to those who did less than 3 hours per day. Similarly students who ever tried cigarettes were more likely to be obese [OR: 2.15, C.I. (1.62, 2.85)] compared to those students who did not. Students who reported wearing seat belts [OR: 0.05, C.I. (0.02, 0.16)] were less likely to be obese. Conclusions: This study highlights a number of modifiable factors on multiple levels associated with child and adolescent obesity in the state of Tennessee. The results emphasize the importance of targeting programs beyond individual adolescent factors to the child’s classes, schools, and school districts, to reduce the prevalence of obesity among Tennessee adolescents.

The health and well-being of U.S. children is challenged by the immense crisis of obesity. The obesity proneness model, first described by Costanzo and Woody (1985), describes one mechanism by which parents influence obesity development. This model suggests that parents become concerned about their children's weight if their children show signs of becoming overweight and parents value weight highly. Parents communicate their concerns to their children and restrict their children's eating. Children internalize parents' concerns and become unable to regulate their eating. Hence, parents socialize children to be concerned about their weight but do not equip them to regulate eating, thus contributing to the development of obesity. Previous research has examined model components, primarily from parents' perspectives. This study examined the model from the adolescents' perspectives and employed structural equation modeling to test and refine a modified model and determine the best predictors of obesity among adolescents. The study was non-experimental in design, employing a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected as part of a modified Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) administered in Sarasota County, Florida, high schools during fall 2006. Models were tested and modified in a training sample, Sample A (N = 784); final models were cross-validated in a hold-out sample, Sample B (N = 749). Findings suggested that a refined model was plausible (χ²/df = 331.97/64, TLI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.07; χ²/df = 226/64, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.06, Samples A and B, respectively). Many paths were statistically significant; e.g., students who perceived mothers to be concerned about their weight were likely to think mothers perceived them as heavier, valued weight highly, had restrictive feeding practices, and made comments about their weight. Students with greater internalized concern about weight were likely to think mothers made comments about their weight and were heavier. Girls were more likely than boys to think mothers were concerned about their weight. Internalized concern about weight, but not inability to self-regulate eating, was predictive of weight status. Interventions addressing some of the model's constructs may provide a partial solution to problems of weight and inability to self-regulate eating behaviors.

A lack of adequately built environments can negatively affect obesity rates among adolescents. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to determine if there is a relationship between the presence of built environments and childhood obesity among the immigrant population living in Cobb County Georgia. The social ecological model was used to explain how environmental factors may influence behavior. The research questions addressed whether walkability and elements of built environments such as to healthy foods and access to parks and recreational areas of census tracts affect childhood obesity when adjusting for race/ethnicity and immigrant population in Cobb County. Data was collected from government websites. Student enrollment, school ethnicity, and free/reduced lunch data were retrieved from the website, School Digger, which gathered their information from the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Georgia Department of Education data sources. Average BMI data were gathered from the Georgia Department of Education 2016-2017 Georgia fitness assessment report. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson correlation and 1-way ANCOVA. Findings showed a statistical significance with the existence of farmer's markets and child obesity but no significance among the other built environment variables. The results from this study can help community leaders develop an inclusive plan to reduce the occurrence of obesity in adolescents within the target area.

Childhood obesity rates are on the rise. There are detrimental physical and psychological health effects associated with childhood obesity. Society needs proven methods of delivering nutrition and physical activity education to children. The Teens Reaching Youth (TRY) 4-H model has been shown to be effective at delivering curriculum in a variety of topics. To assess the effectiveness of the TRY 4-H model at delivering nutrition and physical activity education to youth, grades third through sixth. The program's objectives were to increase youth participants' nutritional knowledge, improve youth participants' eating and fitness habits, and improve leadership and life skills of the teens involved in the TRY 4-H program. We compared three groups of youth grades third through sixth in Northern Utah. We looked at the youth's nutrition knowledge and food preferences as well as their parents/guardians' behaviors. Then two of the groups participated in a nutrition and physical activity education program. One group was taught by TRY 4-H teams and the other group was taught by adult volunteers from the community. After participating in the program, the youth's nutrition knowledge and food preferences and their parents/guardians' behaviors were re-assessed. The control group was unavailable for re-assessment due to limited access. Teen leadership was assessed using a teen leadership and life skills assessment tool. At baseline, the three samples had no statistical differences. The TRY 4-H treatment and Adult Volunteer treatment were found to produce statistically similar nutrition knowledge out-comes. Parents/guardians reported improvements in youth participant nutrition and physical activity habits. Teen members of the TRY teams experienced an increase in leadership and life skills. Teens from the TRY 4-H program are as effective as adult volunteers at teaching younger youth about nutrition. This education delivery method should be utilized in additional communities to aid in the fight against childhood obesity.