m ind e xercise n utrition d o it What is MEND MEND is a multinational evidence based familybased intervention program MEND is designed for children aged 613 years who are above the healthy weight ID: 549299
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Slide1
Rio Grande Valley
m
ind
e
xercise
n
utrition
d
o it
!Slide2
What is MENDMEND is a multi-national, evidence based, family-based intervention program
MEND is designed for children aged 6-13 years who are above the healthy weight
MEND is being implemented in the RGV, which has a primarily Mexican-American population and has some of the highest rates of obesity and poverty among the nation.
MEND
helps
families become fitter, healthier and
happierSlide3
What is MEND
First
hour
Second hourParents
Theory session
(Nutrition
or Mind)
Discussions led by MENDChildrenExercise
10 weeks
Two after-school sessions a weekSlide4
Outcomes of MEND in RGV
78 programs have been delivered in schools, churches, and community centers
1,231
Kids have been served to date of which 661 are above the healthy weightSlide5
Outcomes of MEND in RGV
* Only includes children above the healthy weight and aged 6-13
59.4
% improved BMI (n = 335)*
60
% improved waist circumference ( n= 323)*
75.6
% improved their nutrition score (n = 574)
68.5
% improved their physical activity levels (
n = 593)62.5% of parents improved their
BMISlide6
Cultural Adaptations
Re-framing issue and program
Informal focus groups and community feedback identified stigma and offense to references to weight, BMI, obesity and overweight.
Hispanic culture
perceives plump children as healthy (
Bender & Clark, 2011
).
Focus
on raising strong healthy children
is more congruent with Hispanic cultural beliefs (Cauce & Domenech
-Rodrigues, 2002).Slide7
Cultural Adaptations
Bilingual
classes
More
culturally
appropriate, local
recipes are offered
Theory leaders are
bicultural
Encourage siblings and extended family members to participate in the program; accommodate larger families and consider on-site childcare for young siblings Program delivered in culturally familiar neighborhood settings like churches and community hubs
Transportation and other support services providedSlide8
Lessons Learned
Institutional and staffing barriers: Find the champion (key person) in every school district
Open-up MEND trainings to the community and use as a pool to recruit more team membersServe as an internship program for local
universities to cultivate leadersSlide9
Lessons Learned
Recruitment and retention of participants into the program:Fall is the best time for recruitment in the schools
Alternate delivery programs like sports centers, churches and health clinics are attractive to participants
Offer weekly incentivesOffer gymnastics soccer and martial arts classes after program completion for maintenance
Provide monthly healthy gatherings (picnics,
etc
), motivational text messages and group chats for on-going connection to program