Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Supervisor
Dr. Meizi He
Second Advisor
Dr. Stewart Harris
Third Advisor
Dr. Jen Irwin
Abstract
The Pause-2-Play primary obesity prevention program was pilot tested in London, Ontario to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of providing the program to a sample of elementary school students in grades five and six. Pause-2-Play was a 12-week intervention program consisting of an in-class curriculum, and an after-school program aimed at increasing physical activity and reducing screen time. The implementation process and outcomes were evaluated using a pre- and post- design. School staff, participants, and parents of participants reported enjoying the program, and that children benefited from participation. Participation in Pause-2-Play resulted in significant improvements in percent body fat (p<0.05), fat-free mass index (p<0.05) and fitness (p<0.05). This program can be feasibly provided to school-aged children, resulting in improved health outcomes. Pause-2-Play could be used as a primary prevention tool against childhood obesity. Successful implementation holds the potential to help alleviate the burdens of childhood and adulthood obesity.
Recommended Citation
Killough, Gregory K., "PAUSE-2-PLAY: A PILOT SCH∞L-BASED HEALTH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4797.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4797