Riding into Health: A Case Study on an Equine-Assisted Childhood Obesity Intervention

Katy Schroeder, Jason Van Allen, Emily Dhurandhar, Brittany Lancaster, Zohal Heidari, Kandis Cazenave, Dianna Boone and Phyllis Erdman
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Katy Schroeder: Department of Animal and Food Sciences, College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Jason Van Allen: Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Emily Dhurandhar: Department of Kinesiology and Sports Management, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Brittany Lancaster: Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Zohal Heidari: Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Kandis Cazenave: Department of Animal and Food Sciences, College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Dianna Boone: Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Phyllis Erdman: Department of Kinesiology and Educational Psychology, College of Education, Washington State University; Pullman, WA 99164, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: In this article, we present an exploratory case study that describes the initial outcomes of the Equine-Assisted Positively Fit (EAPF) program. Children with obesity and their caregivers were recruited to participate in the eight-session program. Results indicated that treatment completers ( n = 2) had a decrease in fat mass and fat mass percentage and an increase in fat-free mass and fat-free mass percentage. Moreover, results from accelerometer measurements of physical activity indicated that participants increased their moderate to vigorous physical activity, as well as reported increased self-efficacy for physical activity. Qualitative data from the post-intervention focus group suggested children perceived the treatment acceptable and enjoyable. Findings from this study provide support for future investigations on the feasibility and potential efficacy of pairing children and their caregivers with horses to accomplish health-related goals.

Keywords: obesity; children; equine-assisted interventions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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