No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

In recent years physical inactivity among students has become a matter of great concern. Nearly 65% of students do not meet the daily recommended level of physical activity, which is 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day, with 50% of that time being spent in moderate to vigorous levels of activity (CDC, 2010b). As a result, the 21st century has shown to be a time of many health problems such as, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, nearly one third of all children are considered obese or overweight (Slawta & DeNeui, 2009). Researchers suggest that these health problems are directly related to students' sedentary lifestyles (Pate et al., 2006). Schools play a pivotal role in addressing and increasing physical activity during the school day. The purpose of this research study was to measure levels of physical activity in elementary students during school hours. Specifically, the study sought to discover if there were increased levels of physical activity while students were using a cross-curricular adventure playground, as compared to when they were engaged in free play or physical education class. The study also compared the different measurement types (pedometers, accelerometers, and the observational method) used to assess physical activity, to indicate which measurement types were most feasible in the elementary school setting. Schools are ideal locations for assessing levels of physical activity, as 95% of all children are enrolled in these learning institutions (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2005). The data indicate that physical education provided for the highest levels of moderate to vigorous activity, while both free play and cross-curricular activity still rendered adequate levels of physical activity. After studying the different measurement protocols (pedometers, accelerometers, and the observational method) used in this study, results suggested the pedometer to be the most feasible device to use for measuring children in these types of physical activity settings. One implication for practice was implementing cross-curricular physical activity as a supplement to other physical activities or as an addition to physical education classes in an effort to allow more time for academic instruction while having students engaged in physical activity. Another recommendation for practice was to use pedometers as a cost-effective physical activity measurement device for elementary students.

Teachers and food service employees at a middle school in Washington County, Tennessee were surveyed to determine their perceptions of a recently implemented nutrition program in their school. The nutrition program was designed to address childhood obesity concerns via cafeteria food selections. All teachers and food service employees were eligible to receive surveys. Participants included 19 teachers (5 males, 14 females) and 5 food service employees (1 male, 4 females) employed by Washington County Department of Education and working at Boones Creek Middle School. Survey questions were based on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were insufficient to complete statistical analysis; however, findings indicated that teachers and food service employees felt the nutrition program was less than effective in making changes to the obesity problems in their school.

Children's energy consumption is outweighing their energy expenditure, increasing the risk for childhood obesity. While pediatric obesity continues to be a problem in America, the data are clear that those of low socioeconomic status are especially at risk for weight gain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if a healthy lifestyle program could affect participants' diet and physical activity behavior. A program was planned and conducted using the curriculum from the "We Can" program established by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Residents of the Jefferson City Housing Authority were asked to participate. No resident attended or completed the healthy lifestyle program. Follow-up focus groups with stakeholders and potential participants showed that lack of motivation was the greatest barrier to participation. Further investigation is needed to determine a more suitable venue to educate at-risk populations regarding the risk associated with pediatric obesity.

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This project takes a look at the impacts of our built environment on obesity in children living in racial and ethnic communities in relation to city planning. The results of this project results in a comprehensive report to provide an in-depth look into understanding the important relationships between children’s health and the built environment and understanding the best practices and recommendations for improving health in Guadalupe. Located in the Santa Barbara County, the City of Guadalupe is mainly an agricultural town with over 85 percent of its residents who are of Hispanic Origin. With almost half of its Latino population under 17 years of age, Guadalupe is an ideal location to examine the number of complex social, economic, and environmental matters that can contribute to higher overweight and obesity rates among Latino children. The food environments and physical environments were examined using Community Assessments and outreach efforts with school children and the residents of Guadalupe. Current professional and academic literature on childhood obesity, the built environments, food environments, and schools were reviewed for this project. Responses from a multitude of methods were analyzed and compared to create a list of recommendations for improving children’s health in Guadalupe. These methods included Community of Excellence (CX3) field surveys, walkability surveys, and a Photovoice project with school children.

Childhood obesity affects roughly 1 in 5 children in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). Childhood obesity is related to health concerns including physical illness, mental illness, and occupational imbalance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016; Cantal, 2019; Pizzi, 2016). An in-depth literature review revealed that there are very few childhood obesity programs that support children at the familial or individual level. Rather, current programs are standardized, manualized, and do not allow for customization (Chomitz et al., 2010; Salmon et al., 2008). Program benefits vary based on the participants’ personal and familial factors and supports (Chomitz et al., 2010; Salmon et al., 2008). Therefore, many children do not receive the optimal benefits that these programs suggest. The author developed a 12-week, evidence-based, intervention program designed to guide occupational therapists in treating children with obesity. Behavior change theories guided both the understanding of the problem and the development of the program. Fit 4 You utilizes a flexible intervention approach that allows for customization of the program for each participant, therefore accounting for their personal and familial factors. The Fit 4 You intervention is guided by four evidence-based concepts: (1) planning, (2) self-efficacy, (3) practice and (4) fun. The short and long-term outcomes of this program provide necessary services to an in-need population and contribute to evidence-based practice for occupational therapists. Findings from the program evaluation research will used to improve the program design and will be disseminated to families and occupational therapists to promote program expansion.

Background: Obesity affects over 1 billion individuals across the world. In Canada, nearly 1 in 7 children and adolescents are obese. The risk of obesity is heightened for newcomer children due to their adoption of the Western diet and a sedentary lifestyle. While healthcare providers (HCPs) are the first point of contact upon health concerns, little is known about how HCPs approach HAL communication with newcomer families, with the goal of preventing childhood obesity. Objectives: This study aims to understand HCPs’ experiences with newcomer families relating to (1) HAL communication, (2) HAL promotion strategies, and (3) challenges with HAL promotion. Methods: 12 HCPs currently practicing in Hamilton and experienced in working with newcomer families completed 30–60-minute semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes relating to HAL communication approaches, HAL promotion strategies, and challenges with promoting HAL among newcomer families. Results: Three themes emerged for HAL communication: 1) reactive approach, 2) patient-centered and culturally sensitive communication, 3) holistic health discussions. Four themes emerged for HAL promotion strategies: 1) tailored resource recommendations, 2) facilitating connections among newcomers, 3) family-centered approach, 4) referrals to additional support. Five themes emerged for challenges with HAL promotion: 1) time constraints, 2) difficulty to obtain buy-in, 3) limited resources awareness & availability, 4) navigating sensitivity and empathy, 5) ambiguity in role responsibilities. Conclusion: HCPs emphasized the influence of time limitations, limited resource awareness, and newcomer families’ competing priorities on limiting their ability to proactively promote HAL. Analyzing the data through the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) framework revealed the various intersecting determinants of health that make HAL promotion an intricate task. With HCPs expressing reservations about their efficacy in promoting HAL proactively, investigation into collaborative approaches for proactive HAL promotion should be explored. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Obesity affects over 1 billion individuals across the world. In Canada, nearly 1 in 7 children and adolescents are obese. The risk of obesity is heightened for newcomer children due to their adoption of the Western diet and a sedentary lifestyle. While healthcare providers (HCPs) are the first point of contact upon health concerns, little is known about how HCPs communicate and promote the importance of healthy eating and daily physical activity to newcomer families, with the goal of preventing childhood obesity. Using a qualitative thematic analysis approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 HCPs. Their responses revealed that HCPs commonly only discuss health behaviours in response to evident weight concerns, tailor their recommendations to address newcomers’ circumstances, and are hindered by time constraints to discuss health behaviours. Acknowledging the limitations of their role capacity, HCPs advocated for collaborative approaches to proactively promote healthy active living to newcomer children.