Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Julie Baldwin, PhD¹, Jen Nickelson, MS, RD¹, Moya Alfonso, MSPH¹, Carol A. Bryant, PhD¹, Jennifer French, MPH², David Hogeboom¹, Kelli McCormack Brown, PhD³, Robert J. McDermott, PhD¹, and Seraphine Pitt Barnes, PhD MPH, CHES⁴. (1) College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, 813-971-2119 ext 104, NickelsonJen@aol.com, (2) Sarasota County Health Department, 2200 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34237, (3) Department of Community & Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, (4) Florida Prevention Research Center, University of South Florida, 4809 E. Busch Blvd., Suite 104, Tampa, FL 33617

This study assessed physical activity (PA) among youth in grades 6-8 in Sarasota County, Florida, following introduction of the VERB Summer Scorecard [VSS] program based on the CDC's VERB national social marketing campaign. The possession of a VSS enabled youth to participate in free or reduced cost activities sponsored by local sports/recreation businesses and other facilities, and become eligible for prizes. Differences between youth participating and not participating in VSS were compared on PA measures, social influences, and other factors. Cluster sampling middle schools produced 820 usable youth responses. In all, 81.3% met CDC criteria for participation in vigorous PA and 52.2% reported trying “a new game or sport” within the previous two months. A significantly (p<.05) higher percentage of VSS participants (71%) reported trying a new game or sport than non-VSS participants (55%). Students' PA levels were significantly correlated with number of friends they reported playing a game or sport daily (r=.352, p = .01). Non-VSS participants were significantly (p<.05) more likely to report a higher percentage of “none or just a few” of their friends playing a game or sport daily than participants (17.2% vs. 2.8%). Non-VSS participants were significantly (p<.05) less likely to agree that PA would help them spend more time with friends. In conclusion, participation in VSS increased the likelihood of trying new activities. VERB Summer Scorecard showed promise in this community and may be transportable to others. Participation in PA may have a strong social normative component that must be part of such initiatives.

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

• Describe the effect of participating in the VERB Summer Scorecard Program may have had on students' trying a new game or sport.
• Describe factors that were associated with participating in the VERB Summer Scorecard Program.

Keywords: Adolescents, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation