ChildrenElectronic MediaObesity

Internet-based obesity prevention program

 Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas studied whether an Internet-based program could help young girls at risk for obesity eat more fruit, juice, veggies, and water.

First, the details.

  • 80, 8-to-10-year-old African American girls at risk of obesity participated.
  • Each had a home computer, with Internet access and an e-mail address.
  • The 8-week home-based program, conducted entirely over the Internet, promoted fruit, juice, vegetables, and water intake, and physical activity.
  • The results were based on responses to a questionnaire.

And, the results.

  • Statistically significant increases in fruit, juice, and vegetable consumption were reported.
  • There were also significant differences in physical activity.

The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Internet-based obesity prevention programs may be an effective channel for promoting healthy diet and physical activity behaviors to youth at-risk of obesity.”

It’s a good start. I guess the next step is to measure weight loss.

3/31/09 21:41 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.