Development of a Youth Healthy Living Program With Underserved Adolescents at Rochester Alternative Learning Center

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Approximately one third of the children and adolescents in the United States are either overweight or obese. Childhood obesity disproportionately affects specific racial and ethnic groups and households with low socioeconomic status and low parental education. The Alternative Learning Center (ALC) within Rochester School District 535 provides viable educational options for students who are experiencing difficulty in regular educational systems. A greater proportion of students at ALC are minorities, qualify for free and reduced lunch and receive special education services. These children are likely to have unique barriers to physical activity and healthy eating. Specific Aims: Aim 1: Examine the association between BMI and ethnic/ socioeconomic variables and behaviors related to physical activity and eating in ALC students. Aim 2: Develop an age and culturally appropriate on-site program that promotes healthy lifestyle.

Detailed Description
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Investigators will assess the relationship between BMI and ethnicity, socioeconomic variables and behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity among 200 ALC students. Investigators will also conduct 6 gender stratified (3 boys, 3 girls) focus groups with students (n=24), up to 3 focus groups with their parents (n=24) and one focus group with staff and volunteers in order to understand perceived barriers towards healthy weight/nutrition/physical activity. Investigators will then utilize this information to co-develop a healthy living program at ALC. Investigators will finally test the feasibility of the program they develop over a period of 3 months in ALC students. Study findings will inform further research to test the efficacy and validity of the program developed at ALC in a subsequent school based trial with the future goal of obtaining funding for cluster randomized controlled trials among other schools in the region.

Official Title
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Development of a Youth Healthy Living Program at the Rochester Alternative Learning Center

Conditions
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Childhood Obesity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Healthy Youth Living Program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria: Rochester Alternative Learning Center students ages 12 years to 20 years Parents/guardians of ALC students ALC staff. Exclusion criteria: Inability to assent or consent to participate in the study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Youth Healthy Living Program<br>Youth attending the Rochester Alternative Learning Center (ALC) will be enrolled in a youth healthy living program at the ALC. | Behavioral: Healthy Youth Living Program<br>* Physical activity and healthy eating program at the Alternative Learning Center co-developed by students, school staff and academic partners.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Behaviors related to healthy eating and physical activity | Adoption of healthy eating choices by Rochester Alternative Learning Center students. | 3 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight and BMI | After students participate in the healthy living program we will measure weight and BMI to evaluate change | 6 and 12 months after intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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obesity prevention, CBPR, high risk youth, school health