Children with High BMI, Female Sex, and No-Sports Participation Show Differential Health Benefits from a 20-week School-Based, Mentored, Behavioral Change Model Program - Team KiPOW!

Abstract

Background/Purpose: According to the California Department of Education, in Orange County (OC), California, almost 37% of 5th graders are overweight or obese, and low-income and minority youth are most impacted. Obesity causes long-term health issues and has intergenerational implications [Wang et al., 2019]. Team Kid Power! OC (KiPOW! OC) is an academic-community partnership initiated in 2015 to support school health policies and coach 5th graders in Title I elementary schools through on-site mentorship for behavioral change during lunch and recess. In 2017, KiPOW! OC began an annual 20-week program at Thorman Elementary (75% of students enrolled in the Free or Reduced Lunch …