Kanathy Haney1, Sarah E Messiah2, Kristopher L Arheart3, Eric Hanson4, Allison Diego4, Jack Kardys4, Kevin Kirwin4, Renae Nottage4, Shawn Ramirez4, Gabriel Somarriba5, Lucy Binhack4. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. 2. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Clinical Research, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. Electronic address: smessiah@med.miami.edu. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Clinical Research, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. 4. Miami Dade Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Miami, FL, USA. 5. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Clinical Research, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Children with disabilities are more likely to be overweight or obese and less likely to engage in physical activities versus their peers without disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The effect of a structured afterschool program housed in a large county parks system on several obesity-related health outcomes among children with disabilities was examined. METHODS: Children/adolescents with a developmental and/or intellectual disability ages 6-22 (N = 52, mean age 13.7 years) who participated in an afterschool (either 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 school year) health and wellness program called Fit-2-Play™ were assessed. Pre-post comparison of outcome variables (mean height, weight, waist/hip/midarm circumference, fitness tests, and a 9-item health and wellness knowledge assessment) via general linear mixed models analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the program for normal and overweight/obese participants. RESULTS: Normal weight participants significantly improved pre-post mean number of push-ups (9.69-14.23, p = 0.01) and laps on the PACER test (8.54-11.38, p < 0.01) and the overweight/obese group significantly improved the number of sit ups (7.51-9.84, p < 0.01) and push ups (4.77-9.89, p < 0.001). Pre-post mean health and wellness knowledge composite scores significantly improved for all participants (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Parks-based afterschool programs can be effective community resources for instilling physical health in both normal weight and overweight/obese children with disabilities. More studies are needed to ascertain whether community-based afterschool health and wellness programs can be implemented and sustained across this population.
BACKGROUND:Children with disabilities are more likely to be overweight or obese and less likely to engage in physical activities versus their peers without disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The effect of a structured afterschool program housed in a large county parks system on several obesity-related health outcomes among children with disabilities was examined. METHODS:Children/adolescents with a developmental and/or intellectual disability ages 6-22 (N = 52, mean age 13.7 years) who participated in an afterschool (either 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 school year) health and wellness program called Fit-2-Play™ were assessed. Pre-post comparison of outcome variables (mean height, weight, waist/hip/midarm circumference, fitness tests, and a 9-item health and wellness knowledge assessment) via general linear mixed models analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the program for normal and overweight/obeseparticipants. RESULTS: Normal weight participants significantly improved pre-post mean number of push-ups (9.69-14.23, p = 0.01) and laps on the PACER test (8.54-11.38, p < 0.01) and the overweight/obese group significantly improved the number of sit ups (7.51-9.84, p < 0.01) and push ups (4.77-9.89, p < 0.001). Pre-post mean health and wellness knowledge composite scores significantly improved for all participants (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Parks-based afterschool programs can be effective community resources for instilling physical health in both normal weight and overweight/obesechildren with disabilities. More studies are needed to ascertain whether community-based afterschool health and wellness programs can be implemented and sustained across this population.
Authors: Aiwei Wang; Danran Bu; Siyue Yu; Yan Sun; Jingjing Wang; Tinky Chin Ting Lee; Julien S Baker; Yang Gao Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-22 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Hanneke Kruize; Nina van der Vliet; Brigit Staatsen; Ruth Bell; Aline Chiabai; Gabriel Muiños; Sahran Higgins; Sonia Quiroga; Pablo Martinez-Juarez; Monica Aberg Yngwe; Fotis Tsichlas; Pania Karnaki; Maria Luísa Lima; Silvestre García de Jalón; Matluba Khan; George Morris; Ingrid Stegeman Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-11-11 Impact factor: 3.390