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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Karen O'Rourke, MPH¹, Michele Polacsek, PhD, MHS¹, and Amy Root, MPH². (1) Maine Harvard Prevention Research Center, Maine Center for Public Health, 12 Church Street, Augusta, ME 04330, 207 629-9272, korourke@mcph.org, (2) Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, 295 Water Street, Augusta, ME 04330

Increasing recognition of the negative health consequences of overweight and obesity among youth has served to underscore the necessity for innovative approaches to increase physical activity for youth during the school day. The Maine-Harvard Prevention Research Center (MHPRC) and the University of Southern Maine (USM) Muskie School of Public Service partnered to develop a program designed to increase opportunities for students to be physically active in schools. Piloted in 12 self-selected K-8 schools during 2004/05, Take Time! required participating schools to engage all students in an accumulated 10-20 minutes of daily physical activity outside of physical education or unstructured recess. In year 2, Take Time! was expanded to over 20 schools. Participating schools were provided with resource materials and other support. A post-test only Take Time! evaluation was conducted both years following participatory principles. Teacher, administrator, and student surveys were developed to measure implementation, as well as perceived benefits of participation. Pilot data revealed positive experiences. Teachers reported positive experiences implementing Take Time!. Teachers also perceived benefits of the added physical activity including students' increased ability to focus; decreased stress levels; improved academic performance; and, decreased need for discipline. Students reported positive benefits of Take Time! participation such as improved ability to think; being happier with school; feeling less stress; getting better grades; and, getting in trouble less. School administrators were also supportive of Take Time!. Year 2 evaluation data, collected in May-June, 2006 will also be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will understand the components of the Take Time! Physical Activity Program, designed to increase student opportunities for physical activity during the school day.
• Participants will become familiar with how the Take Time! Physical Activity Program was implemented.
• Participants will become familiar Take Time! Evaluation design including teacher, administrator and student surveys.
• Participants will learn the evaluation findings of the Take Time! initiative.

Keywords: School-Based Programs, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered