Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Clinical Trial
. 2018 Apr;54(4):510-518.
doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2018.01.017. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Effects of Before-School Physical Activity on Obesity Prevention and Wellness

Rachel C Whooten  1 , Meghan E Perkins  1 , Monica W Gerber  1 , Elsie M Taveras  2
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Effects of Before-School Physical Activity on Obesity Prevention and Wellness

Rachel C Whooten et al. Am J Prev Med. 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: The effects of Build Our Kids Success-a 12-week, 1-hour before-school physical activity program-on BMI and social-emotional wellness among kindergarten to eighth grade students was examined.

Study design: This was a nonrandomized trial.

Setting/participants: Participants were from 24 schools in Massachusetts; there were 707 children from kindergarten to eighth grade.

Intervention: Children registered for Build Our Kids Success in 2015-2016 participated in a 2 days/week or 3 days/week program. Nonparticipating children served as controls.

Main outcome measures: At baseline and 12 weeks, study staff measured children's heights/weights; children aged ≥8 years completed surveys. Main outcomes were 12-week change in BMI z-score, odds of a lower BMI category at follow-up, and child report of social-emotional wellness. Analyses were completed in March-June 2017.

Results: Follow-up BMI was obtained from 67% of children and self-reported surveys from 72% of age-eligible children. Children in the 3 days/week group had improvements in BMI z-score (-0.22, 95% CI= -0.31, -0.14) and this mean change was significantly different than the comparison group (-0.17 difference, 95% CI= -0.27, -0.07). Children in the 3 days/week group also had higher odds of being in a lower BMI category at follow-up (OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.12, 1.62); significantly different than the comparison group (p<0.01). Children in the 2 days/week program had no significant changes in BMI outcomes. Children in the 3 days/week group demonstrated improvement in their student engagement scores (0.79 units, p=0.05) and had nonsignificant improvements in reported peer relationships, affect, and life satisfaction versus comparison. The 2 days/week group had significant improvements in positive affect and vitality/energy versus comparison.

Conclusions: A 3 days/week before-school physical activity program resulted in improved BMI and prevented increases in child obesity. Both Build Our Kids Success groups had improved social-emotional wellness versus controls.

Trial registration: This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT03190135.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant flow for BOKS study. BOKS, Build Our Kids Success
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Flegal KM. Prevalence of obesity among adults and youth: United States, 2011–2014. NCHS Data Brief. 2015;(219):1–8. - PubMed
    1. Dencker M, Thorsson O, Karlsson MK, et al. Daily physical activity related to body fat in children aged 8–11 years. J Pediatr. 2006;149(1):38–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2006.02.002. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sijtsma A, Sauer PJ, Stolk RP, Corpeleijn E. Is directly measured physical activity related to adiposity in preschool children? Int J Pediatr Obes. 2011;6(5–6):389–400. https://doi.org/10.3109/17477166.2011.606323. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Reilly JJ. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and energy balance in the preschool child: opportunities for early obesity prevention. Proc Nutr Soc. 2008;67(3):317–325. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665108008604. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sallis JF, Prochaska JJ, Taylor WC. A review of correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;32(5):963–975. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200005000-00014. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types

Associated data