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Article
Implementation and Evaluation of a Physical Activity and Dietary Program in Federal Incarcerated Females
Journal of Correctional Health Care
  • Rosemary A. Johnson, US Public Health Service, Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury, CT
  • Kerry A. Milner, Sacred Heart University
  • Christine Heng, US Public Health Service, Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury, CT
  • Anna E. Greer, Sacred Heart University
  • Susan M. DeNisco, Sacred Heart University
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
10-1-2018
Abstract

The purpose of this 3-month quasi-experimental pilot study was to examine the effect of a physical activity and dietary education program on body mass index (BMI) and resilience. Participants were given data-storing pedometers to record their physical activity, attended classes on healthy eating, and used portion control tools from http://ChooseMyPlate.gov . MyPlate usage and commissary purchases were collected weekly. BMI and resilience scores were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Twenty-nine female prisoners completed the study. There was a statistically significant reduction in BMI after 12 weeks (χ2 = 7.56, p = .023) and resilience levels increased but did not reach statistical significance (χ2 = 1.66, p = .437). A physical activity and dietary intervention delivered by a correctional health nurse practitioner was an efficacious approach to reducing BMI and improving resilience among female prisoners.

DOI
10.1177/1078345818793142
PMID
30198375
Publisher
SAGE Journals
Pages
395-406
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International
Citation Information

Johnson, R. A., Milner,K. A., Heng, C., Greer, A. E., & DeNisco, S. (2018). Implementation and evaluation of physical activity and dietary program in federal incarcerated females. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 24(4), 395-406. doi: 10.1177/1078345818793142