Effect of a coordinated school health program on children's physical activity levels during PE class: SOFIT findings from the Harris County Steps Consortium CATCH Project

Between Spring 2006 and Fall 2007, the Steps to a Healthier Houston-Harris County Consortium disseminated a coordinated school health program (CATCH) that promotes healthy living in children and families. A total of 488 schools from 19 school districts in Harris County, Texas received a one-day coordinated school health training; CATCH PE and classroom curricula, nutrition guidebook, and PE equipment; and access to CATCH school liaisons. We evaluated the program's impact on physical activity, nutrition and health outcomes in a random sample of schools (n = 39). This study presents findings on the percent time third, fourth and fifth grade children engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during physical education (PE) class using the SOFIT direct observation system. A single group, pretest-posttest design assessed changes in MVPA and lesson context over three time points: Spring/Fall 2006 (Baseline), Spring 2007 (Time 2), and Fall 2007 (Time 3). For the combined group of 3rd-5th grade students, percent time PE class MVPA increased from 35.8% (95% CI: ±8.7) at Baseline (n = 116 class observations), to 41.9% (±3.6) at Time 2 (n = 98), to 46.6% (±2.6) (n = 102). The increase in MVPA may be a result of more time spent in fitness-related activities, which increased from 23.2% (±7.7) to 26.8%(±4.3), to 29.0%(±3.9) over the three time points. Similar trends were seen in stratified grade-level analyses. These findings suggest that dissemination of an evidence-based school health program with even limited training and support can increase the time children engage in PE-based MVPA.