%0 Journal Article
%T Fit ¡°n¡± Cool Kids: Effects of Peer-Modeling and Goal Setting on Physical Activity
%A Jessyka N. Larson
%A Timothy A. Brusseau
%A Maria M. Newton
%A Stuart J. Fairclough
%A Heidi Wengreen
%A James C. Hannon
%J Open Journal of Preventive Medicine
%P 85-94
%@ 2162-2485
%D 2018
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojpm.2018.84008
%X <strong>Background: </strong>Decreasing the risk of overweight and obesity from an early age is imperative and efforts should focus on fostering children¡¯s physical activity (PA). Within school-based interventions, there is insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of the use of character peer-modeling and goal setting to increase physical activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a school-based intervention on PA and enjoyment of PA in grades 3 - 5 elementary school age children at two urban elementary schools. <strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were 95 students of 8 - 10 years old; activity monitors were used to assess physical activity. Daily physical activity and enjoyment was recorded at baseline, intervention, and at a 6-school-week follow-up.<strong> Results:</strong> PA significantly increased in the intervention school averaging 5549 steps at baseline, 5889 steps during the intervention, and 6515 during follow-up (p &lt; 0.05). Participants significantly increased their moderate to vigorous physical activity from 28.54 min at baseline to 30.06 minutes at week 4 and 36.45 during follow-up (p &lt; 0.05). There was no change in enjoyment levels from baseline to follow-up. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The Fit ¡°n¡± Cool Kids intervention presents the potential of peer-modeling and goal setting for increasing PA at school. Continued interventions in schools may positively influence children¡¯s healthy living patterns.
%K Health
%K MVPA
%K Physical Education
%K School Health
%K Youth
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=83579