School based nutrition and activity intervention in the Louisiana Delta

Abstract

Introduction Childhood overweight has increased dramatically since the 1970s. African American and Hispanic children and youth are disproportionately affected by this problem compared to white children. The Louisiana Delta minority population is 29% of total. International Life Sciences Institute Center for Health Promotion (ILSI CHP) developed a TAKE 10! program, a classroom-based, physical activity promotion program that integrates activity into the elementary school academic curriculum. The program provides teachers with grade-specific activities linked to core curriculum objectives in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, and character education. The program provides physical activity that reinforces academic concepts and skills. Methods One or more ten-minute physical activity sessions were implemented during regular class time as a substitute for a seated activity. Students were given pre and post tests on nutrition knowledge. Seven elementary schools from two Delta counties (Concordia and Richland) in Louisiana participated. Results A total of 24 kindergarten, 22 first grade, 19 second grade, 21 third grade, 21 fourth grade and 17 fifth grade classes participated. A total of 2133 students were reached by TAKE 10! intervention during the 2004–2005 school year. Teachers spent a total of 2500 minutes each semester or 2.3 hours each week during the school year to implement Take 10!. There was a significant increase overall in nutrition knowledge (P=.0394). There was a significant increase in nutrition knowledge post intervention by grade and county.