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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Linda D. Martin, BRS, in motion, Saskatoon Health Region, 701 Queen Street, Saskatoon City Hospital, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0M7, Canada, (306) 655-8153, linda.martin@saskatoonhealthregion.ca

As physical activity levels among North American children and youth decrease and obesity levels dramatically increase, effective interventions designed at reducing or preventing obesity risk factors, such as physical inactivity, are essential. Given the time children and youth spend in a school environment, targeting schools for such interventions seems appropriate. In motion is an innovative health promotion initiative with a focus on increasing physical activity. In motion set forth to raise awareness of its initiative along with the principles of physical activity and health promotion, and increase self-reported physical activity participation with children and youth through elementary and high schools. Questionnaires were administered to students across several schools to establish baseline and post-intervention levels of in motion awareness and physical activity participation. The eight-month intervention provided schools with a comprehensive resource package and ongoing consultation. Results suggested that in motion did have a positive impact on students. Participants showed increases in their awareness of physical activity benefits, incorporation of physical activity into their daily routine (34% to 42%), and overall participation in physical activity (77% of in motion walk/jog club participants went from being active 2-3 days/week to 4 or more). Teachers reported additional benefits such as improved attendance, greater morale and fewer discipline problems. These results provide support for the use of a physical activity promotion initiative to positively impact physical activity education and behaviors in children and youth while improving the school environment. To date 115 schools have declared themselves "in motion".

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify the benefits, opportunities, challenges and solutions of a community-wide physical activity elementary and high school strategy.
• Describe and understand the development, implementation and sustainability (including research and evaluation) of a strategy to increase physical activity in children and youth.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Children and Adolescents

Related Web page: www.in-motion.ca

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation