Healthy and active lifestyle intervention program for at risk youth to prevent childhood and adult obesity

Obesity is a major public health threat and one of the leading health problems in the nation. Kentucky is facing an adult and child obesity epidemic with the state ranking third (21%) in childhood obesity and seventh (30.5%) in adult obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). Young people must be taught how to be proactive in maintaining a healthy weight and active lifestyle. The purpose of this study is to educate the students participating in an after school program in Bowling Green about the importance of a good nutrition and active lifestyle.The participants involve 50 students in after school program in Bowling Green, Kentucky from grades kindergarten through 12th grade. The program includes a base line assessment of health and fitness at the beginning of the project, 45 minute weekly sessions on health education over the course of 48 weeks, 30 minute daily sessions of physical fitness activities, a family nutrition training program for parents of participants, and a post-assessment of health and fitness for participants and parents at the conclusion of the project. To evaluate the physical component of the participants, data has been collected by measuring their Body Mass Index (BMI) in summer 2011 and Spring 2012. A pretest and posttest will be used for further evaluation of the program. In addition to impacting the participants and their parents, the project can serve as an example for other after-school programs in the region to implement the physical and healthy eating component.