Physical Activity and Fitness ResourcesAction for Healthy Kids
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) is a Nationwide initiative dedicated to improving the health and educational performance of children through better nutrition and physical activity in schools. An outgrowth of the 2002 Healthy Schools Summit, AFHK is composed of 51 State teams and a national coordinating and resource group. AFHK fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders to encourage and facilitate meaningful change in schools. Guidance and direction is provided by more than 40 national organizations and Government agencies representing education, health, physical activity, and nutrition. The site includes tools for action (fact sheets, national and State profiles, presentations, databases, funding and grants), information on State teams and how you can take action, events, and a newsroom. Readers can click on a drop-down list to find out what's happening in their States.
Action for Healthy Kids Summit
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) is a Nationwide initiative dedicated to improving the health and educational performance of children through better nutrition and physical activity in schools. An outgrowth of the 2002 Healthy Schools Summit, AFHK is composed of 51 State teams and a national coordinating and resource group. AFHK fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders to encourage and facilitate meaningful change in schools. Guidance and direction is provided by more than 40 national organizations and Government agencies representing education, health, physical activity, and nutrition. The site includes tools for action (fact sheets, national and State profiles, presentations, databases, funding and grants), information on State teams and how you can take action, events, and a newsroom. Readers can click on a drop-down list to find out what's happening in their States.
Active Community Environments (ACEs)
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/aces.htm
CDC's ACE Initiative Web site promotes walking, bicycling, and the development of accessible recreation facilities. It was developed in response to data from various disciplines suggesting characteristics of our communities, such as proximity of facilities, street design, density of housing, and availability of public transit and pedestrian and bicycle facilities, play a significant role in promoting or discouraging physical activity. The initiative encourages environmental and policy interventions that will affect increased levels of physical activity and improved public health. Activities to promote the goals of the Initiative include the Kids Walk-to-School Program; development of the Active Community Environments guidebook; a partnership with the National Park Services Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program to promote the development and use of close-to-home parks and recreational facilities; collaboration on an Atlanta-based study to review the relationships of land use, transportation, air quality, and physical activity; and collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency on a national survey to study attitudes of the public toward the environment, walking, and bicycling. The ACE Workgroup is collaborating on numerous working papers and data analyses designed to better understand how the natural, built, and social environment influences physical activity.
American College of Sports Medicine
http://www.acsm.org
The American College of Sports Medicine advances and integrates scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. The Web site includes news and information, a legislative action center, special notices, member resources, public resources, publications, and information on professional education and meetings, grants and research initiatives, and health and fitness.
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3003754
This American Heart Association Web site on children and youth discusses several programs and events: Jump Rope for Heart, a yearly educational event that raises funds for medical research and programs that help prevent heart disease and stroke and teach students the benefits of physical activity; Hoops for Heart, a basketball event for middle school students that also raises funds; and HeartPower!, a free online resource for educational materials for preschool, elementary, and middle school students. Visitors to the site can also read about heart defects and treatment options. Related links on the site include exercise and children, dietary guidelines for healthy children, and obesity and overweight in children.
American Heart Association's Cardiovascular Health in Childhood
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/106/1/143
This American Heart Association scientific statement (2002) provides effective strategies for cardiovascular health promotion that can be integrated efficiently into routine pediatric care. A developmental, family-based, profile approach to the assessment and management of cigarette smoking, physical activity, obesity, hypertension, and levels of cholesterol is suggested and emphasized in the cardiovascular health schedule. Information provided suggests a multidisciplinary team approach and is applicable across health care settings, including the physician's office and hospital- and community-based clinics. Physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals can be involved in assessing the child and family cardiovascular health profile and designing and implementing developmentally appropriate interventions. Cardiovascular health promotion emphasizes the acquisition and maintenance of health behaviors. Nurses and dietitians can be particularly instrumental in providing this information and counseling children and families about the adoption of and adherence to a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Bright Futures in Practice: Physical Activity
http://www.brightfutures.org/physicalactivity
Bright Futures in Practice: Physical Activity provides developmentally appropriate physical activity supervision guidelines for infancy through adolescence. It presents information on physical activity issues and concerns such as asthma, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. Tools include lists of characteristics of physical activity programs, resources, and CDC growth charts.
CDC/MMWR's School Transportation Modes, Georgia 2000
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5132a2.htm
This report presents data on modes of transportation to school collected as part of the Georgia Asthma Survey, a statewide, representative, random digit-dialed telephone survey of Georgia households with children conducted May-August 2000. A parent or caregiver in households with at least one child younger than 18 reported on all children residing in the home. Of 1,656 children aged 5-15 years included in the survey, 64 (4.2 percent) walked to school the majority of days of the week, 775 (48.9 percent) rode a school bus, and 755 (43.3 percent) were driven to school by an adult. The remaining 62 (3.6 percent) were home-schooled, rode a public bus, were driven by another student, used some other mode of transportation, or used a method of transit that the caregiver either declined to identify or did not know. (Note: Georgia ranks 39th in level of physical inactivity among school-aged children, probably contributing to the State's relatively high level of obesity; Georgia's rate of obesity more than doubled during 1991-2000.)
CDC's BAM (Body and Mind)
http://www.bam.gov
This CDC Body and Mind Web site helps children deal with stress by learning to listen to body signals and learning healthy ways to handle it. Kids can take the Stress-O-Meter Quiz, learn 10 easy ways to deal with "crazy" days, take a personality quiz, create a personal activity calendar, and read about how some unlikely athletes succeeded. The importance of exercise and sports is emphasized. Activity cards are provided on various sports.
CDC's Barriers to Children Walking and Biking to School
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5132a1.htm
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report is an online journal produced by CDC. This publication contains data on specific diseases as reported by State and territorial health departments and reports on infectious and chronic diseases, environmental hazards, natural or human-generated disasters, occupational diseases and injuries, and intentional and unintentional injuries. Also included are reports on topics of international interest and notices of events of interest to the public health community. The site also provides surveillance summaries.
CDC's Nutritional and Physical Activity Program
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa
CDC's Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity in this program takes a public health approach to address the role of nutrition and physical activity in improving the public's health and preventing and controlling chronic diseases. Scope of activities includes epidemiological and behavioral research, surveillance, training and education, intervention development, health promotion and leadership, policy and environmental change, communication and social marketing, and partnership development. The Web site includes sections on overweight and obesity, campaigns, publications, recommendations, data and statistics, and related links.
CDC's Partnership on Promoting Physical Activity
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/partnership.htm
This CDC Web site discusses the partnership among the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, the Interior, and the Army in which they promote uses and benefits of the Nation's public lands and water resources to enhance the physical and psychological health and well-being of the American people. A significant component of the partnership involves increasing awareness of recreational opportunities that exist in the United States.
CDC's Physical Activity Evaluation Handbook
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/handbook/index.htm
CDC's Physical Activity Evaluation Handbook outlines six basic steps of program evaluation and illustrates each step with physical activity program examples. Appendices provide information about physical activity indicators, practical case studies, and additional evaluation resources. The handbook is available online and can be ordered from CDC.
CDC's Promoting Physical Activity: A Guide to Community Action
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/pahand.htm
Promoting Physical Activity shows the health professional how to facilitate behavior change from an individual and community perspective. Using a social marketing and behavioral science approach to intervention planning, the text guides the reader step by step in addressing the target population's understanding and skills, social networks, physical environments, and policies that most influence their actions. This user-friendly guide includes ideas for promoting physical activity; practical examples of situations similar to those the professional may face; hints on how to create a positive environment in which physical activity is accessible, safe, affordable, and fun; and extensive information on sources for additional help.
CDC's VERB: It's What You Do
http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign
VERB™ It's what you do. is CDC's national, multicultural, social marketing campaign that encourages young people ages 9-13 to be physically active every day. The campaign combines paid advertising, marketing strategies, and partnership efforts to reach the distinct audiences of ?tweens? and adults/influencers. The Web site includes resources and information to make regular physical activity fun. VERB materials available for organizations do not directly provide programs to tweens but can promote the importance of regular physical activity.
DHHS - Physical Activity Fundamental Preventing Disease
http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/physicalactivity
This DHHS report emphasizes the pressing need to encourage a more active lifestyle among the American people, and notes that because physical inactivity is a risk factor for many diseases and conditions, making exercise an integral part of daily life is crucial. The authors point out physical activity need not be strenuous to be beneficial, people of all ages benefit from moderate physical exercise (e.g., 30 minutes of walking five or more times a week), physical activity does not need to be sustained for long periods to provide health benefits, and repeated shorter bursts of moderate-intensity activity also yield health benefits. The reports concludes the goal of a more active population will be a challenge, and the public and private sectors will need to band together to promote more healthy habits.
Economic Burden of Obesity in Youth Aged 6-17 (1979-1999)
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/109/5/e81
This electronic article from the journal Pediatrics examines the trend of obesity-associated diseases in youths (6-17 years of age) and related economic costs. Using a multiyear data file of the National Hospital Discharge Survey, 1979-1999, the authors found the percentage of discharges with obesity-associated diseases increased --The discharges of diabetes nearly doubled, obesity and gallbladder diseases tripled, and sleep apnea increased fivefold. Obesity-associated annual hospital costs increased more than threefold, from $35 million to $127 million. The recommendation is diet and physical activity interventions for weight loss and prevention of weight gain in youths.
Fitness and Fun Forever from Florida Department of Education
http://cops.uwf.edu/copsweb/hles/fff/fitness%20fun%20forever/resources/contents.htm
The Fitness Fun Forever Program emphasizes appropriate children's games for after-school physical activity. The games require a minimum of equipment and are designed to maximize each student's participation time, focus on fitness components that will continue with the child into adulthood, and avoid eliminating or singling out students. The Web site includes 15 simple games for children as well as teaching tips, including class management, equipment, and safety; understanding the symbols; and modifying the activities.
Guidelines for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/106/3/388
Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_3_2X_Diet_and_Activity_Factors_That_Affect_Risks.asp?s
This American Cancer Society Prevention and Early Detection Web site on nutrition and physical activity provides details on eating a variety of healthful foods (with an emphasis on plant sources), choosing foods that help maintain a healthful weight, adopting a physically active lifestyle (with examples of moderate and vigorous physical activities), and limiting alcohol consumption. It includes diet and physical activity factors that affect risks for the most common cancers?bladder, brain, breast, colorectal, endometrial, kidney, leukemias and lymphomas, lung, oral and esophageal, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, and stomach.
HealthierUS: The President's Health and Fitness Initiative
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/fitness/fitness-policy-book.pdf (283KB)
The President's HealthierUS Initiative uses the resources of the Federal Government to alert Americans to the vital health benefits of simple and modest improvements in physical activity, nutrition, and behavior. This report discusses the Administration's two action to promote fitness: revitalization of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and agency-wide activities to promote personal fitness. It also outlines the President's recommendations for improving physical fitness, improving nutrition, prevention, and avoiding risky behaviors.
National Center for Biking and Walking Resource Center
http://www.bikewalk.org
This site shows readers how to create neighborhoods and communities where people walk and bicycle. Readers can view what a bicycle-friendly and walkable community looks like. They can also use the community assessment tools to see where barriers to and opportunities for bicycling and walking exist in their communities. The site also provides resources, direct assistance, and training.
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
http://www.ncpad.org
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) promotes the health benefits that can be gained from participating in regular physical activity. NCPAD's slogan is "Exercise is for EVERY body" since every person can gain some health benefit from being more physically active. The Web site provides information and resources that can enable people with disabilities to become as physically active as they choose. The site also includes links, a searchable database, a virtual tour, fact sheets, recipes, abstracts, and an online calendar.
NGA's Center for Best Practices - Obesity Brief
http://www.nga.org/cda/files/OBESITYIB.pdf
This issue brief (The Obesity Epidemic --How States Can Trim the "Fat") focuses on programs and policies States can implement to address obesity and its causes. Recommendations include the following actions States can take immediately: educate people on the health benefits of eating right and being physically active, strengthen school physical education requirements, consider regulating access to junk foods and soft drinks in schools, evaluate options to provide health insurance coverage for obesity prevention and therapies, assess the economic impact of obesity on State resources, and partner with State and local growth management agencies and the private sector to encourage smart growth and healthy community design.
NHLBI's Hearts and Parks Program
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/heart/obesity/hrt_n_pk
Hearts N' Parks is a national, community-based program supported by NHLBI and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The program's goal is to reduce the growing trend of obesity and the risk of coronary heart disease by encouraging Americans of all ages to aim for a healthy weight, follow a heart-healthy eating plan, and engage in regular physical activity. This Web site includes performance reports, press releases, and a community mobilization guide and video. Information on the NRPA --Department of Health and Human Services strategic partnership, magnet center sites, and pilot projects is available. A Hearts N' Parks community signup section is also provided.
Overweight and Obesity: Surgeon General's Call to Action
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity
The report, The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity, outlines strategies communities can use in helping to address these problems. Options include requiring physical education at all school grades, providing more healthy food options on school campuses, and providing safe and accessible recreational facilities for residents of all ages. In this report, the Surgeon General emphasizes the health problems resulting from overweight and obesity could reverse many health gains achieved in the United States in recent decades. The Department of Health and Human Services Web site includes the press release, the report itself, ordering information, fact sheets, the Surgeon General's Listening Session, and Resources.
Physical Activity and Fitness Research Digest: The President's Challenge
http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~jtodhunt/presidentschallenge/www/resource/digests/digest.shtml
The President's Challenge is the Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The site for the Physical Activity and Fitness Research Digest provides back issues from June 2000 to June 2003. It also includes e-mail lists, software, links, and resources, as well as information on the three program areas (active lifestyle, physical fitness, and health fitness), the President's Council, the Fitness Initiative, and HealhierUS.gov.
Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/sgr.htm
The first Surgeon General's report on physical activity and health summarizes the existing literature on the role of physical activity in preventing disease and on the status of interventions to increase physical activity. It focuses on disease prevention and concentrates on endurance-type physical activity (since health benefits of this activity have been extensively studied). Major conclusions of the report are as follows: people of all ages benefit from regular physical activity, significant health benefits can be obtained by including a moderate amount of physical activity on most days of the week, physical activity reduces the risk of premature mortality, and some interventions to promote physical activity through schools, worksites, and health care settings have been found to be successful.
Sedentary Kids Called to Action in National Campaign
http://www.usatoday.com/news/healthscience/health/child/2002-07-17-verb.htm
SPARK Physical Education Curriculum
http://www.foundation.sdsu.edu/projects/spark
SPARK, the "new PE," is designed to maximize class activity time, without sacrificing learning; classes are more inclusive, active, and fun. SPARK PE is the only physical education program to have shown significant improvement in all the following variables: moderate to vigorous activity, fitness, sport skills, enjoyment of PE, academic achievement, and activity levels away from school. The Web site includes information on workshops and curriculum --early childhood, elementary, middle school, after school, and high school physical education.
The Cooper Institute
http://www.cooperinst.org
The Cooper Institute conducts research in epidemiology, exercise physiology, behavior change, hypertension, children's health issues, obesity, nutrition, aging, and other health issues. Papers from the institute are among the most frequently cited references in the scientific literature on topics related to physical fitness, physical activity, and health. The Web site provides information on training and certification, products (manuals, books, research publications, and fitness training tools), FITNESSGRAM (a computerized, health-related fitness assessment for children and youth), active daily living, scientific conferences, the Clinical Weight Management Research Center, study participation, the Internship Program, and fitness in law enforcement.
The Health Risks of Obesity: Worse Than Smoking, Drinking, or Poverty
http://www.rand.org/publications/RB/RB4549
This RAND Health Web site provides highlights from two reports on obesity in which two RAND researchers examined the comparative effects of obesity, smoking, heavy drinking, and poverty on chronic health conditions and health expenditures. The authors found obesity was the most serious problem and was linked to a large increase in chronic health conditions and significantly higher health expenditures. Obesity also affects more people than smoking, heavy drinking, or poverty. The findings suggest weight reduction should be an urgent public health priority.
The President's Challenge: Physical Activity and Fitness
http://www.presidentschallenge.org
The President's Challenge is a program that encourages all Americans to become active in their daily lives. This site includes sections for kids, teens, adults, seniors, the disabled, and educators. It provides information on program advocates, shows how to start a community or corporate program or group, and shows how to track student progress. Participants can track their own progress online; fitness calculators and ideas are provided to help them improve. The site also includes downloads, links, and news.
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