The purpose of this research was to contribute to the childhood obesity mitigation literature by determining the PA preferences of obese/overweight (o/o) elementary students who participated in Club Fit!, a school-based PA program designed to engage the students in developmentally appropriate, moderate-vigorous PA and enhance their regard for PA…

Background: School policies can change practices on a relatively permanent basis. This study investigated adoption and implementation of state-level policies specifying minutes (or percent) of physical activity in physical education (PE) or during school. Methods: Policies were identi?ed from existing databases and rated as having weak, moderate,…

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine (a) whether distance from home to school is a determinant of active commuting to school (ACS), (b) the relationship between distance from home to heavily used facilities (school, green spaces, and sports facilities) and the weight status and cardiometabolic risk categories, and (c) whether ACS has a…

Determinants of exercise for middle school children were addressed by examining the validity of the Stages of Change (SOC) construct of the Transtheoretical Model, as well as the relation between the stages of change and barrier self-efficacy and decisional balance. Findings provided preliminary cognitive and behavioral support for the use of the…

Individuals with Down syndrome typically have low fitness levels and obesity despite data that indicate physiological gains from physical activity and exercise interventions. Low fitness levels and obesity in individuals with Down syndrome may be related to sedentary lifestyles, social and recreational opportunities, or low motivation to be…

The purpose of this project was to examine the effectiveness of a fitness infusion instructional strategy (FI) on children's activity levels and skill performance scores. This strategy included aerobic activity within the skill practice tasks and game play. In other words, students performed short bouts of activity between the practice and…

Children's involvement in sports develops their diverse lifelong skills in the physical (a positive attitude toward healthy lifestyle), cognitive, emotional and social domains. Children enjoy a day out in the open, enjoying the free space, the wind in their hair, the smells that stimulate their senses, the touch of different and new things to be…

There are many people of middle age in America still who do not believe in play. They grew up without playgrounds themselves and they do not realize how greatly conditions have changed during the intervening years. When the author was a boy in southern Michigan the school session in his country community was only four months a year. Under these…

Discusses reasons childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions and the numerous health problems that can result. Suggests parents incorporate physical activity into their family's lifestyle; advocate for daily outdoor recess at school; provide healthful meals; respect their child's appetite; not use food for comfort or as reward; and limit…

This report discusses health promotion for young people, focusing on 10 strategies for facilitating physical activity and sports for children and youth. A background section discusses the benefits of physical activity, how much physical activity and fitness young people need, how active and fit America's children and adolescents are, and how…