NO CHILD LEFT UNFIT- A Program to Promote Fitness and Physical Activity through the Schools

Recent reports indicate that many children do not meet the national guidelines for physical activity (PA) and fitness. There are also concerns that lack of PA and low level of fitness are associated with the increasing prevalence of obesity. The goals of the program NO CHILD LEFT UNFIT were to increase the percentage of students;

a) actively participating in physical education/PA and b) with a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.

METHODS: Program components included; Project Adventure, Brain Gym, activities using heart rate monitors, pedometers and curriculum to explain the benefits of fitness. PA and fitness assessment were done with the Fitness gram and a questionnaire.

RESULTS: In years one and two, there were 11 and 32 schools respectively in the program. In year one, approximately 7,000 students (elementary, middle and high school) participated in the program. At the end of the year, the percent of students meeting the Healthy Fitness Zone Standards was 80% (for aerobic capacity), 84% (muscular endurance), 92% (muscular strength) and 99% (flexibility). This represented increases of 11% for aerobic capacity, 17% for muscular endurance, and 4% for muscular strength. There was an increase of 13% in reported vigorous PA and 14% in strengthening PA. Overall, for both genders, students who passed the majority of the fitness gram assessments had a significantly (p< 0.05) lower BMI than students who did not pass.

CONCLUSION: PE programs that include technology and innovative curriculum can have a positive impact on fitness and increase participation in PA.