This study examined the BMI, dietary habits, body perception, physical activity patterns, and nutrition knowledge and opinions of 599 fourth grade public school students in Wells County, Indiana, in 2003-04 and 2005-06. Participants completed the School Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) survey and had their height and weight measured. Almost half (49.9%) of the participants were at risk for or were overweight. More than one-quarter (29.1 %; n=91) normal weight students perceived they did not weigh enough. At risk for overweight children were more likely to participate in exercise that did not raise their heart rate than normal weight children. Normal weight children participated in more cardiovascular-raising activity than overweight children did. Students engaged in significantly more cardiovascular exercise in 2005-06 than in 2003-04. Students "usually" spent 3.4 ± 2.0 hours per day in screen time. Interventions that encourage healthy eating and physical activity would benefit students in this community. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

The purpose of this study was to assess the change in anthropometric measures, physical activity levels, food choices, and stage of change for seven health behaviors in adults who participated in fitness classes sponsored by Operation Wellness, a Robert Wood Johnson Local Initiatives Funding Partner grant, in Wells County, IN. Over the grant’s four years, 961 individuals 19 years of age and older enrolled in at least one semester-long Wellness University fitness class and completed both a pre-assessment and at least one post-assessment between the fall of 2003 and the summer of 2007. At baseline, 40.9 percent (n=286) of respondents reported engaging in either no exercise (n=35; 12.2%) or exercised only one to two days per week (n=82; 28.7%). After one semester, 81.4 percent met the goal of exercising aerobically for 30 minutes or more at least three times per week. Paired analysis indicated participants lost an average of three pounds (173.2±47.1 lbs. vs. 170.7±45.5 lbs.; t=2.02; p=0.045), lowered their systolic (125.9±15.9 mmHg vs. 121.5±16.6 mmHg (t=2.30; p=0.026) and diastolic 78.0±9.9 mmHg vs. 75.6±10.2 (t=1.80; p=0.05) blood pressure, and had a significant shift in their readiness to change in six of the seven health-related behaviors after only one semester. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences