Scheduled for Research Consortium Free Communication: After School Programs for Children and Youth, Thursday, March 15, 2007, 8:45 AM - 10:00 AM, Convention Center: 336


Fight the Fat: An After-School Program to Prevent Obesity

Janet Marie Rasmussen, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Today's generation of young people could be the first generation of Americans to have shorter life expectancies than their parents (American Obesity Association, 2006). Walk into any classroom, in any school, in any state, and one may find that one out of three children is overweight (American Obesity Association). Despite this fact, according to the American Obesity Association's survey in 2005, only 5.6 percent of parents chose “being overweight or obese” as a great risk to their child's long-term health and quality of life. School based interventions to prevent obesity can target a large population of children. Healthy lifestyles are more influential than genetic factors in avoiding obesity, and it is important to acquire these habits early in life (Healthier US.Gov, 2006). By middle school, many children have formed their fitness and eating habits (CDC 2005). Therefore, this study was performed at an elementary school and involved healthy diet and exercise interventions. Eleven third and fourth grade students participated in this after-school program involving individual lifetime fitness and nutrition activities. Its purpose was to evaluate the effects of a school-based obesity prevention program on participants' physical fitness and eating habits. This program met for thirty minutes two days a week for two months. Daily nutrition and fitness logs were a part of the program. Data from BMI, 1/2 mile run/walk times, sit ups and push ups were collected before and after the study. Data was also collected from the daily nutrition and fitness logs, in addition to the distance completed for run/walks. Lastly, an exiting qualitative survey was given to each participant. Using the dependent t-test, significant statistical improvement was shown in muscular and cardiovascular fitness. Results indicated significant improvements in running/walking distances; however no overall statistically significant improvement was shown in ˝ mile run/walk times. Data from sit ups and push ups showed statistically significant improvement (p < .001), although there was no overall statistically significant improvement in BMI, or healthy eating. Qualitative improvements in fitness and diet were noted. In the exiting qualitative survey, six out of the nine respondents reported an increase in positive eating and fitness habits. Participants' discussions, in addition to evaluation of daily nutrition and fitness logs, indicated that there was an increase in nutrition knowledge (comparing nutrition labels) and goals for healthier eating and activity levels. In conclusion, this study suggests that school-based interventions may have positive effects on obesity prevention.
Keyword(s): elementary issues, health promotion, obesity issues

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