Pilot Project 1: H-PACE: Promoting Healthy Living Through Behavior Change

In New Mexico (NM), 15.2% of children between the ages of 6-15 years are obese, which is 23rd among all U.S. states. Obesity prevalence also increases with age. In 2018, only 13% of NM children ages 2-4 years were obese compared with 32% of adults. More specifically, 35% of teens in Dona Ana County were overweight. Likewise for Washington (WA) in 2016, 12% of children ages 2-4 years were obese compared to 29% of adults. More specifically, rates of obesity in Yakima County were 38%, which is higher than both WA State and the U.S. national rates. Proper nutrition and physical activity (PA) are essential parts of overall health. Together, they can decrease the risk of developing obesity as well as related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and several types of cancer. Higher body mass index (BMI) during childhood and adolescence has been strongly associated with increased risk for several malignancies in adulthood, including leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. Moreover, higher childhood BMI is independently associated with increased overall cancer mortality.4 Most Americans, however, do not practice healthy eating habits and are not sufficiently physically active.5 Only 51.5% of Americans attain recommended PA levels and 26% engage in no leisure-time PA.5 Additionally, 75% of children ages 6-15 years do not meet minimum PA guidelines. Moreover, screen time (e.g., television, video games, cell phones) has contributed to the epidemic of sedentary behavior. For instance, 22% of children ages 10-17 years report watching television three or more hours per day, and 47.7% report using computers and other electronic devices for recreation three or more hours per day. The purpose of this Pilot Project is to test the Healthy Parents and Children Enhancement (H-PACE) program – a community-engaged research project – through an existing after-school program in Las Cruces, NM and a new partnership in Sunnyside, WA among children ages 8-11 years (third through fifth grade). It is expected that implementing the H-PACE program will be feasible and demonstrate clinically important changes in improving children’s lifestyle behaviors, thereby supporting the Partnership’s goal of improving health for all.