244 The Role of Peer Mentors in Enhancing School-Based Physical Activity: The Heart Healthy Kids (H2K) Program Phase 2

Abstract

Only 7% of Canadian children achieve recommendations for physical activity, contributing to an increase in overweight and obesity. Obese children have higher total healthcare costs and more physician visits than their normal weight peers. Phase 1 of this research indicated trends toward improved school-day physical activity. The objective of Phase 2 was to determine if significant differences in physical activity would occur in an expanded sample. Participants from 10 schools (5 control, 5 intervention) were enrolled in the program during the 2010/2011 school year. In control schools, the program included a physical activity challenge and education sessions. In intervention schools, the program included the addition of a peer mentoring program. Endpoints included average school-day pedometer steps and educational pre- and post-session tests. At baseline and program completion, anthropomorphic measurements were conducted and cardiovascular fitness was evaluated using the PACER shuttle run test to determine VO2 max. Parent influence was evaluated by survey. Participants included 808 children in grades 4, 5, and 6. Participants in peer mentoring schools logged significantly more steps per school day, on average, than those in control schools (6940±3685 versus 5934±2778, p=0.02). Education tests and cardiovascular fitness testing indicated significant improvement in both control and intervention schools from baseline. Educational test scores improved, on average, 24% (p<0.001), and VO2 max improved, on average, 1.5ml/kg/min (p<0.05). No significant differences were seen in anthropometrics between control and intervention schools. The parent survey indicated that adult BMI was positively correlated with child BMI (r=0.27, p<0.001). Parent BMI was negatively correlated with positive physical activity questionnaire responses (r=-0.100 to -0.273, p<0.05). Reported family income was positively correlated with positive physical activity questionnaire responses (r=0.112-0.391, p<0.05). The H2K program was associated with positive changes in education and cardiovascular fitness. Peer mentoring was associated with positive increases in school-day physical activity, suggesting this model be tested in other contexts as a means of increasing physical activity.