EXERCISE AND NUTRITION SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENTS CLASSIFIED AS AT RISK FOR OR OVERWEIGHT

Abstract

Purpose/Hypothesis: Pennsylvania Health Secretary reported in February 2004 that 18% of 8th graders are overweight with another 17% at risk of becoming overweight. According to the Center for Disease Control, overweight status increases the risk for long-term and short-term physical, social and emotional consequences. This program was designed to decrease the effects of overweight status for students in a local middle school. Number of Subjects: Thirty four middle school students volunteered to participate. Students ranged in age from 11 to 14 years with 96.3% above the 95th percentile on the age growth charts. Materials/Methods: Prior to and following intervention, students participated in measures of body composition using DEXA scans and skin fold, self-esteem, body image, and, cardiovascular health/efficiency using a 12 minute walk and a 3 minute step test. Intervention occurred during the school day and consisted of nutrition education one time each week using “Way to Go Kids” program and exercise twice each week over a 10 week period. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed on DEXA scans with a decrease in body fat composition and an increase in lean body mass. Statistically significant improvements in cardiovascular measures were observed with a decrease in working heart rate during the 12 minute walk and an increase in number of steps performed in 3 minutes. Mean score improvements were observed in self-esteem with the largest change in Physical Appearance and Attributes subscale. Nutritional measures also demonstrated decreases in mean calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, % calories from fat, and % calories from saturated fat. Changes in mean scores on self-esteem or nutritional measures were not significant with low statistical power. Conclusions: Improvements were noted in school children classified as at risk or overweight following a 10 week nutrition and exercise school based program. Additional research is needed to determine the most effective outcome measures and intervention strategies for a middle school based program with students at risk for or overweight. Clinical Relevance: Intervention in schools by physical therapists and nutritionists may be effective in decreasing physical, social, and emotional consequences in overweight and at risk middle school students.