One-year change in energy and macronutrient intakes of overweight and obese inner-city African American children: Effect of community-based Taking Action Together type 2 diabetes prevention program

Taking Action Together (TAT) was a controlled community-based intervention protocol developed to reduce risk of T2DM among low-income, high BMI, 9–10 year old African American children. A secondary hypothesis of this study was that there would be greater improvements in the treatment group in dietary intakes and physical activity. To evaluate the primary study objectives, multiple linear regression models were employed, with 1 year change in dietary variables as dependent variables. Intervention group status was the independent variable of interest and BMIz was included as a covariate in all analyses to adjust for group differences in baseline obesity status of the children. The findings from this analysis suggest that 1 year change in dietary intakes in boys was associated with group intervention status, with boys in the treatment group reducing their intakes of energy and fat to a significantly greater extent than boys in the control group. Differences in energy intakes were not significant, however, for girls. Based on the differences in gender response to our comprehensive TAT intervention, we conclude that interventions designed for and delivered only to African American girls might be more successful than those delivered in mixed gender settings.

► Improved diet of the treatment group in an intervention on AA children was expected.
► Boys in the treatment group reduced their intakes of energy than the control group.
► Group intervention status was associated with change in intake in high BMI AA boys.
► In girls, energy intake in treatment and control group was not different.
► Gender tailored interventions might be more successful for high BMI AA girls.