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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

E. Kovalchik, MPH, CHES¹, V. Lassiter¹, and Margaret O'Neil, PT, PhD, MPH². (1) Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter, Arthritis Foundation, 219 N. Broad Street, Suite 2, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-564-9800 x117, Lkovalchik@arthritisfoundation-epa.org, (2) Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions, Mail stop 502, 245 N. 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

With over 15% of children and adolescents overweight nationally, the Arthritis Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter implemented, monitored and evaluated the SPLASH! Kids Aquatic Program (S-KAP) in urban, underserved North Philadelphia communities. S-KAP currently provides youth in grades 3 through 6 with the opportunity to maintain an active lifestyle through warm-water aquatic exercise and interactive health education. This program is intended to complement the lessons youth learn in school and in the home by offering physical activity and knowledge-based components to the participants over a six week time period. These components are designed to promote the optimal physical, emotional and social development of participants in a culturally competent environment. S-KAP meets four times per week and has helped young people in Pennsylvania meet the State standard for physical education and health requirements. Program results were evaluated through SPSS from September of 2004 through the fall of 2005 by Pre and Post physical assessments and qualitative surveys. Of the 300 underprivileged students enrolled in S-KAP, 260 identified themselves as African-American and 40 identified themselves as Hispanic/Latino. Over the course of the program, VO2 Max increased by 3.62 L/min, Flexibility increased by 2.22 inches, Muscular Endurance increased by 1.98 sit-ups and Percent Body Fat decreased by 2.89% body fat. Qualitative results show an increase in nutrition and physical exercise knowledge. This piece will describe an innovative, multifaceted approach to combating the youth obesity epidemic. Final data will be presented from spring and summer of 2006.

Learning Objectives:

• Define procedures for developing a school-based aquatic aerobic program for young students.
• Discuss the components of developing a childhood obesity program for implementation with community partners.
• Identify potential barriers to and resources for developing an aquatics program at schools and with community partners.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No