175544 Improvements in physical fitness scores achieved following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Coordinated School Health Model (CSHM) through an innovative school physical education (PE) and nutrition program in the Keppel Union School District (KUSD)

Monday, October 27, 2008

Catherine Knox, RN , Spa 1 & 2, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, North Hollywood, CA
Deborah Davenport, RN, MS , Spa 1 & 2, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, North Hollywood, CA
Grace Lubwama, MPH , Antelope Valley Partners for Health, Lancaster, CA
Douglas S. Melnick, MD, MPH , Spa 1 & 2, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, North Hollywood, CA
Olga Vigdorchik, MPH CHES , Spa 1 & 2, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, North Hollywood, CA
Rita R. Mozian, MPH CHES , Spa 1 & 2, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, North Hollywood, CA
Background: A partnership between Antelope Valley Partners for Health (AVPH), the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC-DPH), and the Keppel Union School District (KUSD) resulted in a federal grant to improve PE programs, fitness, and health among rural elementary schools located in the Antelope Valley. KUSD has a student body with greater than 50% ethnic minorities, including 31% Hispanic students.

Methods: Interventions following the CDC Coordinated School Health Model (CSHM) were implemented including: hiring two certified PE teachers; adoption of the SPARK PE and health curriculum, the purchase of exercise equipment, the implementation of a nutrition program, providing opportunities for parents to learn and become involved, and providing staff development for teachers. Fitness scores were recorded based on the California Department of Education tests consisting of BMI and FITNESSGRAM® testing.

Results: The percentage of KUSD students meeting five of six fitness domains (cumulative) for students tested as fifth graders in 2004 improved from 39.4% in 2004 to 46.9% when tested as seventh graders in 2006. The fifth graders tested in 2005 improved from 42.6% in 2005 to 44.9% when tested as seventh graders in 2007(Data available http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/dataquest.asp accessed 02/04/2007).

Discussion: Following an intervention based on the CDC Coordinated School Health Program Model, the KUSD demonstrated significant gains on State fitness exams in two cohorts of fifth grade students tested two years later in the seventh grade. Both a balanced diet and adequate exercise are necessary to achieve optimal health and help ensure kids learn health lifestyle choices that will benefit them in later life. Successful aspects of this project may serve as a model for comprehensive school-based heath interventions in other rural and urban communities.

Learning Objectives:
Recognize that schools need to involve parents and staff in order to implement a new physical education and nutrition curriculum successfully. Appreciate that children can be motivated to adopt healthier lifestyle choices through a broad-based school health and physical activity curriculum. Identify and discuss community collaboration approaches to implementing physical education and nutrition curriculum in schools.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I helped analyze data and wrote abstract
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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