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Objectives: To assess overweight and related risk factors among urban low socioeconomic status (SES) African-American adolescents in an attempt to study the underlying causes of ethnicity and gender disparities in overweight. Methods: Cross-sectional data collected on anthropometric measures, diet, physical activity and family characteristics from 498 students in grades 5-7 in four Chicago public schools were analysed to study the risk factors for overweight using stepwise regression analysis. Results: Only 37.2% of the students lived with two parents. Nearly 90% had a television (TV) in their bedroom, and had cable TV and a video game system at home. Overall. 21.8% (17.7% boys versus 25.1% girls) were overweight (body mass index (BMI) $ 95th percentile); and 39.8% had a BMI $ 85th percentile. Compared with national recommendations, they had inadequate physical activity and less than desirable eating patterns. Only 66.1% reported having at least 20 min vigorous exercise or 30 min of light exercise in $ 5 days over the past 7 days; 62.1% spent . 3 h days 21 watching TV/playing video games/computer, while 33.1% spent $5 h days 21 . Their vegetable and fruit consumption was low, and they consumed too many fried foods and soft drinks: 55.1% consumed fried food twice or more daily and 19.5% four times or more daily; 70.3% consumed soft drinks twice or more daily and 22.0% four times or more daily on average. Gender, physical activity and pocket money were significant predictors of overweight (P ,0.05). Conclusions: Several factors in the students' behaviours, school and family environments may increase overweight risk among this population. There is a great need for health promotion programmes with a focus on healthy weight and lifestyle, and targeting urban low-SES minority communities.

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Objectives: Obesity prevention among children and adolescents is a public health priority; however, limited school-based intervention trials targeting obesity have been conducted. This article provides an overview of the study design and baseline preliminary findings of our ongoing school-based intervention study. Design: Randomized intervention trial to test a school-based, environmental obesity prevention program in urban low socioeconomic status (SES) African-American adolescents. The intervention program was developed based on several behavioral theories and was guided by preliminary findings based on focus group discussion and baseline data. Setting: Four Chicago public schools in the US. Subjects: Over 450 5-7th graders and their families and schools were involved. Results: Our baseline data indicate a high prevalence of overweight (43% in boys and 41% in girls) and a number of problems in these children's physical activity and eating patterns. Only 26% reported spending X20 min engaged in vigorous-moderate exercise in X5 days over the past 7 days; 29% reported spending X5 h each day watching TV, playing video games, or using computer. They also consumed too many fried foods and soft drinks. On average, 55% consumed fried foods X2 times/day over the past 7 days; regarding soft drinks, 70% reported consuming X2 times/day. Conclusion: School-based obesity prevention programs are urgently needed in the target US urban, low SES, minority communities. These data can be used to inform intervention activities.

At short-term follow-up, weight loss occurred with minimal complications, leading to early resolution of major obesity-related comorbidities. Continued evaluation of the long-term safety and efficacy of LAGB as a surgical adjunct to a comprehensive obesity treatment program is warranted.