The objective of this study was to determine whether school-based physical activity interventions improve adolescent children's body composition, as measured by BMI, bodyweight and girth measurements.
Method:
One hundred and fifty-three Hispanic 8th grade students attending a Northern California Title I middle school were measured for height and weight, and BMI’s were calculated. Forty-nine students (20 female and 29 male) who’s calculated BMI was above 24 were separated by gender and assigned to a specially designed fitness class. Students in the class were provided with an exciting and educational program that helps teach realistic and achievable ways to establish and maintain a health lifestyle and participated in guided daily physical activity. Students in the fitness class were given the option of remaining in the class after the initial six-week course or moving to a sport-skill based class. None of the forty-nine students in the fitness class elected to transfer to a skill-based class, choosing instead to remain with their fitness cohort for a twenty-two week period. Students in the fitness class were provided with an exciting and educational program that helps teach realistic and achievable ways to establish and maintain a health lifestyle. The lesson topics included: the long term effects of obesity and related health implications, nutrition basics, making and enjoying healthier food choices, diet myths, caloric expenditure, calorie content of foods and healthy portion sizes, weight management, how to set, monitor and reinforce personal fitness goals, aerobic and anaerobic training, self esteem/self-image improvement, team building, physical activities that can be done anywhere, and having fun while being active. .
Analysis/Results:
There was no significant difference in the week 1 and week 22 measures of BMI. However, dramatic reductions in girth and body weight measures changed the students’ physical appearance, resulted in greater positive attitude, improved self-esteem and confidence, and an increase in unsolicited statements of exercise and behavioral adherence.
Conclusions:
While our analysis indicated that school-based physical activity intervention did not improve BMI. There were demonstrated positive changes in physique, and mental attitude. Students left the class feeling empowered and committed to continuing on their healthy lifestyle plan. It is possible that school-based physical activity could increase lean muscle mass and decrease fat mass with no overall change in BMI, as such, other measures of body composition such as waist circumference, skin-fold thickness and percent body fat, and all of these warrant investigation.