A physical activity intervention and changes in body mass index at a middle school with a large American Indian Population, Oklahoma, 2004-2009

Abstract

School-basedinterventions can reach children and adolescents and aid in reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity. A physical education class that engaged middle school students in a daily1-milewalk or run and other team sports was developed in a rural school in southwestern Oklahoma with a large American Indian population. Body mass index zscores decreased among boys and were stable among girls in the intervention group compared with students who did not participate in the intervention. A daily required walk or run may help to establish a physical activity habit with all of its associated benefits.