Although exercise provides many benefits, children continue to be inactive, (USDHHS, 2000) and are developing increasingly unhealthy habits. Lack of time, energy, motivation, and support from family are cited as reasons for inactivity in children (Sallis, Prochaska, & Taylor, 2000). Successful childhood physical activity interventions possess two characteristics: high perceived enjoyment and family involvement (Thompson et al., 2003). Peer support and mentoring have also been reported to positively influence children's health outcomes (Holt, Bewick, & Gately, 2005). G.A.M.E. On Griffs! was a 12-week community-based youth wellness program designed to promote health behavior changes through increased physical activity and healthy personal nutrition. The purpose of this study was to examine the program's impact on children's physical (body mass index, resting blood pressure, waist girth) and psychological (self-esteem, perceived stress, enjoyment for physical activity) outcomes. Novel aspects of this intervention included family involvement and emphasis on individualized instruction from college-age mentors.
Method
Participants (N=35; 19 males, 16 females; ages 8-12, M = 9.48 yrs, SD=1.38) attended weekly (12) sessions in which they were paired with adult family members and a college-aged “wellness mentor”. Personalized instruction in healthy nutrition and physical activity practices was followed by 60 minutes of physical activity with mentors. Additional nutritional and physical activity support contact was conducted weekly by mentors via telephone or email throughout the program. Pre- and post-program measures were obtained on children's body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), waist girth, general self-esteem (SEI), perceived stress (PSS), and enjoyment for physical activity (PAES).
Analysis/Results
Paired t-tests comparing pre- and post-intervention measures revealed no differences on BMI (t(27) =.643, p =.526), systolic BP (t(27) =-1.19, p =.244), diastolic BP (t(27) =.401, p =.692), or girth (t(27) =.883, p =.385). No difference in physical activity enjoyment was observed (t(27) =-1.04, p =.308), but a significant improvement in post-program self-esteem (t(27) =-2.94, p =.007), and a significant decrease in perceived stress (t(27) =3.16, p =.004) were observed. Qualitative analyses indicated participants valued relationships with mentors and time spent in physical activity, as a family.
Conclusions
While GAME On Griffs! did not result in significant physiological changes, significant improvements were seen in children's general self-esteem and perceived stress. Since improved emotional outcomes were the main objective of this wellness program, affective improvements in self-esteem and reductions in stress were encouraging and support the importance of family and mentoring in community-based youth health interventions.