Be A Fit Kid is an individualized and noncompetitive physical activity and nutrition education program currently included in the school curriculum in southern Oregon elementary schools. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to determine the efficacy of Be A Fit Kid as a 6-week early morning intervention by examining health-related improvements, teacher feedback regarding learning, behavior, and attention, and parent feedback regarding changes in dietary habits made by participating children. METHODS: The intervention group consisted of 17 children, ages 7-12. Fitness activities and nutrition education were offered two mornings each week before- school. Measurements included height and weight for body mass index (BMI), a nutrition test for nutrition knowledge, the timed mile run and sit-ups for fitness, and blood pressure. RESULTS: Prior to the intervention, 4.5% of children had high blood pressure, 91% were unable to meet the national averages for the mile run, 47% were unable to meet the national averages for sit-ups, and 21% had high BMI. Following the intervention, significant improvements in the mile run (p=0.000), sit-ups (p=0.024), nutrition knowledge (p=0.000), BMI (p=0.047), systolic blood pressure (p=0.004), and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.000) were observed. As reported by parents, over two-thirds of participating children reduced their intake of saturated fats and soda, and increased their intake of vegetables, fruits, grains, and water. Based on teacher feedback, there were no changes in student behaviors, learning, or attention as a result of the early morning exercise. CONCLUSION: The significant improvements in health-related variables following the before-school Be A Fit Kid intervention, in addition to previous Be A Fit Kid interventions, suggest that health education and health promotion programs aimed at children may favorably alter overweight and the development of adult lifestyle-related diseases. There was no evidence in the present study, however, that a morning fitness program improved learning and attention in the classroom.

This article describes the inclusion of Be a Fit Kid in the fourth-grade curriculum. Be a Fit Kid is a fitness-emphasized physical activity and heart-healthy nutrition education program for elementary school children. Five parent—education lessons were offered and nutrition workbooks were distributed to parents. Following the 10-week intervention, significant improvements in fitness, body fat, nutrition knowledge, dietary habits, and levels of lipids and lipoproteins were observed in the intervention group compared with baseline levels. Changes in fitness, body fat, and nutrition knowledge were significant compared with the control group. These findings suggest that comprehensive physical activity and nutrition programs included in the school curriculum may be effective for improving cardiovascular health and reducing future risk for lifestyle-related diseases.

The concept of tournament validity was explored in three studies. In the first study, measures of tournament validity, difficulty, and discrimination were introduced. These measures were illustrated with data from the 2003 Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour. In the second study, the relationship between difficulty and discrimination was tested by analyzing United States Golf Association slope and course rating data. In the third study, the validity of an entire season of PGA tournaments was examined. Tournaments did differ in validity, and some tournaments were not valid at all. Difficult, high-scoring tournaments were somewhat more valid and led to greater discrimination than low-scoring tournaments. Implications of golf tournament validity are discussed as are implications for measuring the validity of other types of competitions.

Be A Fit Kid, an individualized and noncompetitive physical activity and nutrition education program, was recently included in the fourth-grade curriculum in all schools in one Southern Oregon school district. PURPOSE: 1.) To describe the Be A Fit Kid program and its inclusion into the fourth grade curriculum and 2.) To determine the efficacy of the program by examining health-related improvements following 10 weeks of intervention. METHODS: The intervention group consisted of an entire fourth grade from one elementary school (n=46) and the control group consisted of 20 fourth graders from another school. Fitness activities were offered three times each week for 40 minutes each session. Nutrition education was offered once each week for 45 minutes. Height and weight were measured for calculation of body mass index (BMI), skinfolds were measured for estimation of body fat, blood was collected for measurement of lipid and lipoprotein levels, dietary habits were analyzed from 24-hour food records, nutrition knowledge was assessed by a simple nutrition test, and fitness was estimated from the mile run and sit-ups. RESULTS: As compared with controls, mile run time, nutrition knowledge, body fat, and blood pressure improved significantly in the intervention group (p≤0.01). As compared to baseline values, significant reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body fat, and saturated fat intake were observed in the intervention group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive physical activity and nutrition programs included in the school curriculum can have a major impact on reducing future risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other lifestyle-related diseases. Federal law now mandates that all school districts participating in the federally-funded National School Lunch Program develop a Wellness Policy for the 2006–2007 school year that addresses goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and healthful cafeteria offerings. We are currently developing a sequential model of Be A Fit Kid for first through fifth grade that will reflect the goals outlined in the Wellness Policy established in our school district. Supported by the Daedalus Foundation, the Darby Fund, and the Ashland School District

0725 Physical inactivity, poor eating habits, and overweight are primary risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes. CHD and type 2 diabetes are considered to be major pediatric problems in that poor eating habits and physical inactivity are generally acquired during childhood. PURPOSE: To improve fitness, dietary habits, body composition, and blood cholesterol levels in elementary school children following 3 months of nutrition and exercise intervention, and to determine the extent by which positive changes in dietary and physical activity habits were maintained 6 months following the completion of the intervention. METHODS: The Vol. 36 No. 5 Supplement study sample consisted of 51 children, aged 6 to 11 years. The program met three times each week for 2 h for 3 months at each school. Height and weight were measured for calculation of body mass index (BMI), skinfolds were measured for estimation of body fat, blood was collected for measurement of lipid and lipoprotein levels, dietary habits were analyzed from 1-day food records, nutrition knowledge was assessed by a simple nutrition test, and a battery of fitness tests were administered. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the timed mile run (p = 0.000), sit-ups (p = 0.000), chin-ups (p = 0.000), and flexed arm hang (p = 0.000); saturated fat intake (p = 0.000), sodium intake (p = 0.000), and nutrition knowledge (0.000); BMI (p = 0.002) and body fat (p = 0.000); and total cholesterol levels (p = 0.03). Improvements in dietary and physical activity habits were maintained by over 75% of children 6 months following the intervention. CONCLUSION: The significant improvements in fitness, nutritional habits and knowledge, body composition, and total cholesterol levels following the Be a Fit Kid intervention suggest that health education and health promotion programs aimed at children may favorably alter overweight and the development of adult lifestyle-related diseases. Supported by Asante Health System and Rogue Valley Medical Center

0381 Overweight and obesity in American children has steadily increased over the last two decades. This rise in overweight is accompanied by an increase risk for the presence of CHD risk factors. PURPOSE: To assess the percent of children not meeting the current recommendations for fitness, body composition, and levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG), and to determine whether fitness and levels of LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG differ between ideal weight and overweight children. METHODS: The sample consisted of 91 children, aged 6 to 11 years. Height and weight were measured for body mass index (BMI), skinfolds were measured for estimation of body fat, blood was collected for measurement of LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG levels, and the timed mile run was used as a index of cardiovascular fitness. RESULTS: Approximately 79% of children had low fitness, 52% had high BMI, 67% had high body fat, 37% had high LDL-C, 66% had low HDL-C, and 34% had high TG. BMI and body fat were positively associated with TG (p = 0.000) and the timed mile run (p = 0.000), and inversely associated with HDL-C (p = 0.000). Only body fat was associated with levels of LDL-C (p = 0.04). The table below presents mean CHD risk factors per cohort.Table: Relationship Between Body Composition and TG, HDL-C, and FitnessCONCLUSION: In this sample, a high proportion of overweight children with low fitness, high LDL-C, low HDL-C, and high TG were identified. These findings suggest that children with high BMI and body fat have lower fitness and unfavorable HDLC and TG levels relative to children with ideal BMI and body fat, placing them at increased risk for CHD as they age.