Implementating a lunch time school-based walking program in Title 1 southwest metropolitan schools: A quasi-experimental study

The incidence of childhood overweight is increasing, especially among low income, Latino children. Studies demonstrate regular exercise, combined with healthy eating, results in weight loss, increased self-esteem, better school performance, and fewer disciplinary problems. Community health researchers at a non-profit hospital system collaborated with a large academic college of nursing and an elementary school district to implement Grand Canyon Trekkers (GCT), a 16-week,school-based physical activity program. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine the effects of a structured walking program on obesity related outcomes in high-risk, low-income primarily K-6 Latino students. Six thousand consent requests to participate were sent home to parents in ten, Title 1 schools and 1396 were returned (23% return rate). Pre and post measurements included BMI, waist circumference, adiposity, cardio-respiratory endurance, and physical activity attitudes and behaviors. At mid-point evaluation, participation and miles walked varied among schools. Post-test measures will take place March 2008 and complete findings will be presented at the conference. GCT provides children an opportunity to reach almost half of the Surgeon's General recommendation for daily physical activity during school. Unlike most activity programs that occur before or after school, participation is not limited by a child's inability to pay, need for transportation, or need for parental involvement. If a child can walk, he or she can be an exceptional Grand Canyon Trekker. The program's strength is that it is outcome oriented, simple, relatively inexpensive to administer and accessible to all enrolled children.