Youth Fit for Life
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Youth Fit for Life is a physical activity and fitness program designed for 5 to 12 year olds in after-school care programs. There is a current need for physical activity programs that supplement elementary school physical education (PE) classes because many existing PE classes are being reduced and the number of children with excess body weight is increasing.
Youth Fit for Life is a 12-week program with three, 45-minute classes per week. The program includes a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity component and a behavioral skills training. After-school counselors are trained to administer the program to students already enrolled in after-school care. Those without previous PE teaching experience are encouraged to be trained in Youth Fit for Life in order to encourage maximum community involvement. The physical activity component includes both physical resistance training and cardiovascular exercise in the form of cooperative and noncompetitive games. In the behavioral life skills portion of the program, students learn about goal-setting, social support and forming a positive-self image.
Youth Fit for Life is a 12-week program with three, 45-minute classes per week. The program includes a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity component and a behavioral skills training. After-school counselors are trained to administer the program to students already enrolled in after-school care. Those without previous PE teaching experience are encouraged to be trained in Youth Fit for Life in order to encourage maximum community involvement. The physical activity component includes both physical resistance training and cardiovascular exercise in the form of cooperative and noncompetitive games. In the behavioral life skills portion of the program, students learn about goal-setting, social support and forming a positive-self image.
Goal / Mission
Youth Fit for Life aims to increase physical activity among children enrolled in after-school care programs.
Results / Accomplishments
A study compared the effects of Youth Fit for Life implemented in two different time periods, 2003 and 2005, using an unstructured activity group as controls among 165 children ages 9-12. The study measured the reported number of days with "voluntary" (not programmed or school PE) physical activity that made one "breathe harder than usual."
Reported days of voluntary physical activity increased from week 1 (mean no. of days=2.39) to week 12 (mean no. of days=3.24) in the 2003 Youth Fit For Life children (p<0.001). In the 2005 Youth Fit For Life group, the children reported the increase in voluntary physical activity from week 1 (mean no. of days=2.18) to week 12 (mean no. of days=3.42) (p<0.001). Reported days of voluntary physical activity at week 12 by children in the control group did not differ from week 1.
Reported days of voluntary physical activity increased from week 1 (mean no. of days=2.39) to week 12 (mean no. of days=3.24) in the 2003 Youth Fit For Life children (p<0.001). In the 2005 Youth Fit For Life group, the children reported the increase in voluntary physical activity from week 1 (mean no. of days=2.18) to week 12 (mean no. of days=3.42) (p<0.001). Reported days of voluntary physical activity at week 12 by children in the control group did not differ from week 1.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta
Primary Contact
YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta
100 Edgewood Ave NE # 1100
Atlanta, GA 30303-3065
(404) 588-9622
jamesa@ymcaatlanta.org
http://ymcaatlanta.org/
100 Edgewood Ave NE # 1100
Atlanta, GA 30303-3065
(404) 588-9622
jamesa@ymcaatlanta.org
http://ymcaatlanta.org/
Topics
Health / Children's Health
Health / Diabetes
Health / Physical Activity
Health / Diabetes
Health / Physical Activity
Organization(s)
YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta
Source
Research-tested intervention programs, National Cancer Institute
Date of publication
2005
Date of implementation
2003
Location
Atlanta, GA
For more details
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=PubMed...
http://rtips.cancer.gov/rtips/programDetails.do?pr...
http://rtips.cancer.gov/rtips/programDetails.do?pr...
Target Audience
Children