School Nutrition Program for Childhood Obesity

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Arkansas

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to improve the nutritional quality of school meals to help reduce obesity among children in rural Arkansas. It compares schools implementing a new nutrition program, CSNEI (a school nutrition enhancement initiative), which alters meal options and cafeteria settings, with schools maintaining their current practices. The focus is on whether these changes lead to healthier weights and better eating habits among students. Children attending one of the six participating rural school districts who wish to improve their eating habits might be a good fit for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers students a unique opportunity to participate in innovative research aimed at enhancing their health and well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that this school nutrition program is safe for students?

Research shows that the CSNEI (Comprehensive School Nutrition Enrichment Intervention) focuses on improving the quality of school meals. This program aims to address childhood obesity by changing what is served in school cafeterias. It updates meal options and enhances the overall food environment in schools.

The CSNEI program poses no specific safety concerns because it involves changes to school meal plans rather than medical treatments or drugs. Designed to improve nutrition, it focuses on offering healthier food choices. This approach is generally safe and well-accepted, building on the existing practice of providing meals in schools.

The program helps schools create healthier menus, which can lead to better health for students over time. These changes align with common methods for improving diet and reducing obesity risk, so participants can feel confident about the safety of these nutritional improvements. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the School Nutrition Program for Childhood Obesity because it takes a comprehensive approach to addressing childhood obesity by transforming school environments. Unlike typical interventions that might focus solely on diet plans or physical activity, this program modifies meal/menu items, enhances cafeteria settings, and alters purchasing practices. This holistic strategy could lead to more sustainable and impactful changes in children's eating habits, potentially making a significant difference in combating obesity at a young age.

What evidence suggests that this program is effective for childhood obesity?

Research has shown that school programs like the CSNEI, tested in this trial, can help reduce childhood obesity. One study found that only 21% of children in a group without the program lost weight, highlighting the program's potential benefits. Schools in this trial will be randomized to either receive the CSNEI intervention, which involves modifying meal/menu items and changing school cafeteria environments, or to a control group that will follow their existing nutritional practices. These programs improve the quality of school meals and help shape children's long-term food choices. Past efforts have successfully encouraged healthier eating habits and helped students manage their weight. This approach supports weight loss and promotes better overall health. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Christopher R Long, PhD

Principal Investigator

UAMS

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for students currently enrolled in one of the six rural public school districts in Arkansas. It aims to address high rates of childhood obesity and poor nutrition, particularly where food insecurity and reliance on free or reduced lunch programs are prevalent.

Inclusion Criteria

Student currently enrolled at one of the 6 rural public school districts

Exclusion Criteria

N/A

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Data Collection

Baseline data collection will take place prior to implementation

Year 1

Intervention Implementation

Implementation of the CSNEI intervention in selected school districts

3 years

Follow-up

Follow-up data will be collected annually to assess changes in BMI and nutritional quality

Years 2-5

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• CSNEI

Trial Overview The CSNEI program is being tested to see if it can improve the nutritional quality of food served in schools. The study will compare changes in student body mass index and dietary habits between schools implementing CSNEI and those that do not over a five-year period.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CSNEI Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Schools randomized to receive the CSNEI intervention arm will receive help in addressing childhood obesity by modifying meal/menu items, changing school cafeteria environments, and making changes to purchasing and procurement practices.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Schools randomized to the control arm will follow their existing nutritional practices.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Arkansas

Lead Sponsor

Trials

500

Recruited

153,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Project Healthy Schools (PHS) has demonstrated significant improvements in health metrics and lifestyle behaviors among middle school students in Michigan, indicating its effectiveness in addressing childhood obesity.

The program's success is linked to collaborative efforts among stakeholders and changes in the school environment, suggesting that such comprehensive approaches can be replicated to combat childhood obesity in other settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Top 10 Lessons Learned from Project Healthy Schools. Rogers, R., Krallman, R., Jackson, EA., et al.[2019]

A three-year school-based intervention in a low-income district serving 5,000 children led to a significant decrease in mean BMI percentile from 70.4 to 65.7%, indicating effective weight management among students.

The intervention also resulted in a significant reduction in the number of students categorized as overweight or obese, suggesting that changes in physical activity and nutrition can positively impact childhood obesity rates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

School-Based Obesity Intervention Associated with Three Year Decrease in Student Weight Status in a Low-Income School District. Cadzow, RB., Chambers, MK., Sandell, AM.[2018]

In a 10-week school-based program involving 63 obese children aged 5 to 12, 95% of participants lost weight, achieving an average weight loss of 4.4 kg and a 15.4% decrease in their percentage overweight.

The program was significantly more effective than no intervention, as only 21% of a control group of obese children lost weight, highlighting the importance of comprehensive behavior modification and support in managing childhood obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A school-based behavior modification, nutrition education, and physical activity program for obese children. Brownell, KD., Kaye, FS.[2018]

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) was successfully integrated into five medical clinics, with physicians generating 686 referrals and 106 parents participating in the 8-week pediatric obesity prevention intervention.

Parents reported significant improvements in their children's behaviors related to sleep, screen time, physical activity, and nutrition, indicating that the intervention was both feasible and beneficial for families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of Colocating a Nutrition Education Program into a Medical Clinic Setting to Facilitate Pediatric Obesity Prevention. Shilts, MK., Diaz Rios, LK., Panarella, KH., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-pediatric-obesity-2022-57352

School Nutrition Program for Childhood Obesity The program was significantly more effective than no intervention, as only 21% of a control group of obese children lost weight, highlighting the importance of ...

2. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/project-details/8299502

Evaluating the Impact of Statewide BMI Screening Initiative in ... The study will provide key insights about how to enhance the effectiveness of school-based BMI screening programs, a widely recommended public health strategy.

3. health-excellence-action.org health-excellence-action.org/project/csnei

CRHS #1 CSNEI is a policy intervention designed to address childhood obesity by modifying lunch and breakfast meal/menu items, changing the school cafeteria ...

4. icr-heart.com icr-heart.com/article/effectiveness-of-school-based-nutritional-interventions-in-reducing-childhood-obesity-a-community-based-controlled-study-2481/

Effectiveness of School-Based Nutritional Interventions in ... Conclusion: School-based nutritional interventions are effective in reducing obesity and promoting healthier dietary behaviors among children.

5. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/iCkg2iBmhEyh70MnpRqISQ/project-details/10894015

Project Details - NIH RePORTER The CDC estimates 18.5% of children age 2-19 in the US are obese. Arkansas has the third highest rate of obesity for high school students (22.1%) and the fifth ...

6. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/evaluation-of-a-comprehensive-school-nutrition-enrichment-intervention-csnei-in-rural-school-distr

Evaluation of a Comprehensive School Nutrition Enrichment ... Schools randomized to receive the CSNEI intervention arm will receive help in addressing childhood obesity by modifying meal/menu items ...

7. nber.org nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w14297/w14297.pdf

NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES SCHOOL NUTRITION ... Bleich et al. (2007) provide a recent overview of the costs and consequences of adult obesity. In this study, we utilize panel data on over 13,500 children ...