Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Increasing Physical Activity Rates Among High School Girls In Jefferson County, Kentucky, Haley Copeland

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Obesity rates across the U.S. are increasing, especially among adolescent females. Physical activity rates have been associated with obesity and many related health outcomes. Regular physical activity can help adolescents improve their cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones, control their weight, and reduce depression ¹. It can also help reduce the risk of developing health conditions like heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, type II diabetes, and obesity ¹. Thus, physical activity among youth provides a risk factor to target, with the intention of eventually decreasing obesity rates.

Recommended physical education class CDC guidelines are not being met …

Healthy, Fit, & Strong: A Parent-Child Physical Activity Program For Families With Obese And Overweight Adolescents, Patrick Maloney

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Over 20% of Kentucky children between the ages of 10-17 are obese, the third highest prevalence in the nation. The Healthy, Fit, & Strong Program works with children with a BMI above the 85th percentile and their parents to improve behaviors related to physical activity (PA) and nutrition. The intervention is a 12-week program which features tri-weekly physical activity sessions and nutrition classes. Both children and parents participate in activities in order to build knowledge and confidence related to healthy behaviors. The goal of this intervention is to improve upon baseline physical activity levels and diet as well as to …