Advisor(s)

Carmen Castaneda-Sceppa

Contributor(s)

Jessica A. Hoffman, William J. (William Jay) Gillespie

Date of Award

2010

Date Accepted

5-2010

Degree Grantor

Northeastern University

Degree Level

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department or Academic Unit

Bouvé College of Health Sciences. Department of Clinical Exercise Physiology.

Keywords

health sciences, activity, children, exercise, obesity, physical, preschool

Subject Categories

Exercise for children

Disciplines

Public Health

Abstract

Childhood obesity is growing at an alarming rate. To date there is a very limited availability of age-appropriate, family-oriented, community-based physical activity (PA) promotion programs for families with preschool aged children. Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Open Gym (OG) is a community-based PA initiative created for families with 3-8 year old children to provide access to and promotion of PA. Ten families and 17 student activity leaders (SAL) were enrolled and structured observations across nearly 1,100 intervals were carried out during seven OG sessions. A modified systematic direct observation (SOFIT) tool was used to assess child, caregiver and SAL behaviors. Ten caregivers and 15 children were enrolled. Results showed that children engaged in walking or vigorous PA during 55% of OG intervals observed. By contrast, caregivers engaged in walking or vigorous PA during only 24% of the intervals. SAL engaged in instructing, demonstrating and promoting fitness during 64% of OG intervals observed. Despite the small sample size (n=10), statistically significant correlations were observed between increased child and caregiver PA levels when SAL were less engaged with families. Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Open Gym is a promising model to promote and support an active lifestyle for families of young children.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights Holder

Jordan Elizabeth Thomas


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