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Riding into Health: A Case Study on an Equine-Assisted Childhood Obesity Intervention
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

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
International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.16(23), p.4835
12/01/2019
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16234835
PMCID: PMC6926900
PMID: 31805713
url
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234835View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

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.
 Environmental Sciences Environmental Sciences & Ecology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Public, Environmental & Occupational Health Science & Technology

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