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ERIC Number: EJ1410781
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: EISSN-1746-1561
Development of a Fitness Surveillance System to Track and Evaluate Obesity in North Idaho
Cate A. Egan; Christopher B. Mercia; Laura Bond; Chantal A. Vella; David R. Paul
Journal of School Health, v94 n3 p259-266 2024
Background: Internationally 18% of youth are obese. Fitness testing can be used to establish fitness surveillance, which can inform policy and targeted interventions aimed at addressing obesity. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and low fitness in Idaho school-aged youth through a pilot study. Methods: A convenience sample of 13 teachers from 11 north Idaho rural schools collected FitnessGram fitness data: body composition (body mass index [BMI]), aerobic capacity (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run [PACER] test), muscular endurance (curl up), strength (pushup), and flexibility (sit and reach). Results: A total of 761 students (aged 9-18 years) from grades 3&5, 7, and 9 to 12 participated in the study. Approximately 24% of 3&5 and 22% of 7th, and 12% of 9 to 12th-grade students were categorized as Needs Improvement/Health Risk by FitnessGram standards for BMI. Similarly, approximately 25% of 3&5, and 22% of 7 and 9 to 12th-grade students were considered Needs Improvement/Health Risk for PACER. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Results from fitness testing can provide school and public health representatives with a "needs assessment" of student health that can be used to help develop policies and practices to improve student health and wellbeing. Conclusions: This study provides a model for statewide annual fitness testing surveillance and reporting within K-12 public school physical education classrooms.
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Grade 3; Primary Education; Grade 5; Intermediate Grades; Middle Schools; Grade 7; Junior High Schools; Secondary Education; Grade 9; High Schools; Grade 10; Grade 11; Grade 12
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) (DHHS/NIH); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Idaho
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1U54GM104944; 1C06RR020533; P20GM109095; P20GM103408; 0923535; 0619793