Project FIT: Rationale, design and baseline characteristics of a school- and community-based intervention to address physical activity and healthy eating among low-income elementary school children

• Main Authors: Oh Hyun J, Kelleher Deanne, Thompson Tracy, Hayes Heather, Carlson Joseph J, Paek Hye-Jin, Pfeiffer Karin, Alaimo Katherine, Eisenmann Joey C, Orth Julie, Randall Sue, Mayfield Kellie, Holmes Denise
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-07-01
• Series: BMC Public Health
• Subjects: obesity; school intervention; exercise; nutrition; social marketing
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/607

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper describes Project FIT, a collaboration between the public school system, local health systems, physicians, neighborhood associations, businesses, faith-based leaders, community agencies and university researchers to develop a multi-faceted approach to promote physical activity and healthy eating toward the general goal of preventing and reducing childhood obesity among children in Grand Rapids, MI, USA.</p> <p>Methods/design</p> <p>There are four overall components to Project FIT: school, community, social marketing, and school staff wellness - all that focus on: 1) increasing access to safe and affordable physical activity and nutrition education opportunities in the schools and surrounding neighborhoods; 2) improving the affordability and availability of nutritious food in the neighborhoods surrounding the schools; 3) improving the knowledge, self-efficacy, attitudes and behaviors regarding nutrition and physical activity among school staff, parents and students; 4) impacting the 'culture' of the schools and neighborhoods to incorporate healthful values; and 5) encouraging dialogue among all community partners to leverage existing programs and introduce new ones.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>At baseline, there was generally low physical activity (70% do not meet recommendation of 60 minutes per day), excessive screen time (75% do not meet recommendation of < 2 hours per day), and low intake of vegetables and whole grains and high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, French fries and chips and desserts as well as a high prevalence of overweight and obesity (48.5% including 6% with severe obesity) among low income, primarily Hispanic and African American 3^rd-5^thgrade children (n = 403).</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p><b>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01385046">NCT01385046</a></b></p>