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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Kristen Borre, PhD, MPH¹, Wienshet Wubneh, BS¹, James L. Wilson, PhD², and Gwyndolyn Roberson McBride, MS³. (1) UNC-NC Agromedicine Institute and the Dept. of Pediatrics, East Carolina University, 106 West Research Building, West Research Campus, Greenville, NC 27858, 252-744-1051, borrek@ecu.edu, (2) Center for Health Services Research and Development, East Carolina University, Physicians Quadrangle Building N, Greenville, NC 27834, (3) Child Nutrition, Scotland County Schools, 322 South Main Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352

Active Recess for All is a program developed by the Growing Up FIT! collaborative partnership in eastern North Carolina for rural schools serving minority, low income elementary school children. The program is cost effective, does not disturb the academic schedule, can be done in the classroom or outdoors, and is enjoyed by teachers and students. Over a three year period, the program has increased physical activity of students from an average of 8 minutes per week for 4th and 5th grade students to over 150 minutes per week, allowing the schools to meet the Healthy Active Children Policy for the State of NC ahead of schedule. The program has been significant in the reduction of overweight among students who were tracked over 3 years. Z score values for corresponding BMI's were compared using a paired sample t-test. Significant improvements in BMI scores for sex and age were found. Active Recess for All was transferred to another school system and was found to increase physical activity significantly at all schools. Funded by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust S.E.L.F. Improvement Program, the Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation, State of NC, and East Carolina University.

Learning Objectives: At the session’s conclusion, the learner will be able to

• Recognize the significance of an organized active recess period for school children to achieve the recommended 60 min/day of moderate physical activity;
• Develop an active recess program with local schools; and 3)Evaluate the impact of the active recess program for increased physical activity and decrease in the proportion of children who are overweight.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Child Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Active Recess for All is a product developed and designed by the Growing Up FIT! Partnership with funds from a foundation and a university to improve physical activity of school children. It consists of a book of lessons for indoors and outdoors games fo

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation