Determinants of Childhood Obesity (Foundational Research)
Early SAHRC research focused on identifying risk factors and social determinants contributing to obesity and diabetes among underserved populations.
Diabetes Risk Factors in Low-Income Mexican-American Children
"Because diabetes is highly prevalent in Mexican-American adults, type 2 diabetes is increasing in Mexican-American youths, and diabetes risk factors are more common in Mexican-American children, a prudent measure would be to explore early-age diabetes risk factor prevention programs in this population."
Social Capital and Health: Implications for Working With Minority and Underserved Populations
"Despite Bienestar children residing in households with low financial and individual capital, social capital made up for the deficit to change unhealthy behaviors."
Diabetes Risk, Low Fitness, and Energy Insufficiency Levels among Children from Poor Families
"Children living in poverty have high levels of diabetes risk factors and need early detection and intervention programs."
Obesity and Preference-Weighted Quality of Life of Ethnically Diverse Middle School Children: The HEALTHY Study
"In conclusion, we found that severely obese children of ethnically diverse backgrounds had significantly lower preference-weighted QOL scores than did normal weight children in all three instruments."
Association between Ready-to-Eat Cereal Consumption, Nutrient Intakes, and Body Mass Index in Low-Income Minority Children
"Children who frequently consumed RTEC had greater intakes of essential nutrients at baseline and significantly lower BMI over a 3-year period."
School-Based Intervention & Program Outcomes
Subsequent research evaluated the effectiveness of SAHRC's coordinated school health and diabetes risk reduction programs.
Impact of the Bienestar School-Based Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Program on Fasting Capillary Glucose Levels
"The Bienestar Health Program, in a randomized controlled trial, statistically significantly increased fitness scores and dietary fiber intakes and decreased FCG levels."
NEEMA: A School-Based Diabetes Risk Prevention Program Designed for African-American Children
"The NEEMA school-based diabetes prevention pilot study showed that the instructional material was culturally appropriate for African-American children and that the program had a positive effect on children's fitness and FCG levels."
A School-Based Intervention for Diabetes Risk Reduction
"These changes may reduce the risk of childhood-onset type 2 diabetes."
Bienestar: A Diabetes Risk-Factor Prevention Program
"The Bienestar Health Program, in a pre-post design, resulted in a significant decrease in dietary fat intake, an increase in fruit and vegetable intake, and an increase in diabetes health knowledge."
Effect of the Bienestar Health Program on Physical Fitness in Low-Income Mexican American Children
"This study suggests that it is possible to improve the physical fitness of low-income Mexican American preadolescent children through a comprehensive school-based health program."
Evaluation of Medicare’s Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity: The BieneStar Experience
"The BieneStar program showed that the weight of participants decreased as they attended more sessions."
Program Implementation & Evaluation
SAHRC research also includes program implementation studies and evaluation reports that inform ongoing program development.
Identifying Barriers That Hinder Onsite Parental Involvement in a School-Based Health Promotion Program
"Even when parents are involved in the initial design to make the program parent friendly and culturally sensitive, additional barriers to parental involvement can be identified though many are fears and concerns rather than actual problems."
HEALTHY Study School Food Service Revenue and Expense Report
"The HEALTHY study showed that providing healthier food options is affordable and does not compromise school food service finances."
The Bienestar School-Based Program for Preventing Diabetes in Schoolchildren: An Interview with Roberto P. Treviño, MD
"A recent randomized controlled trial showed that Bienestar students decreased blood glucose, increased dietary fiber intake, and increased fitness levels. Control students, on the other hand, showed the reverse trend: increased blood glucose, decreased dietary fiber intake, and decreased fitness levels. These differences were significant."