Fun and Fit: Evaluation of a Pediatric Exercise Program

• Published in: Journal of pediatric nursing Vol. 28; no. 6; pp. 557 - 562
• Main Authors: Gruenfeld, Elizabeth A., Zagarins, Sofija E., Walker, Allison P., Skinner, Sandra S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-11-2013; W.B. Saunders Company/JNL
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Children; Children & youth; Exercise; Female; Humans; Intervention; Interventions; Male; Muscle Strength; Nursing; Obese children; Obesity; Obesity - prevention & control; Obesity/prevention and control; Paediatrics; Pediatrics; Physical Fitness; Program Development; Program Evaluation; Prospective Studies; Risk assessment; Socioeconomic factors; Socioeconomic status; Weight loss; Exercise; Obesity/prevention and control; Child; Adolescent; Weight loss
• ISSN: 0882-5963; 1532-8449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2013.02.033

While the components of effective pediatric exercise interventions have been identified in structured research settings, recent reviews have highlighted the need for translating these interventions into accessible programs. In this paper we evaluate a behavioral intervention-based exercise program designed to serve community children and teens at risk for adult obesity. Measures of weight, strength, cardiovascular fitness, and exercise intensity improved significantly over the course of this program, and qualitative assessments indicated that attitudes towards exercise also improved. Our experiences suggest that structured, protocol-driven exercise interventions can be successfully translated into effective programs accessible to children of different ages and socioeconomic levels.