ARS | Publication request: Promoting moderate-vigorous physical activity in overweight minority girls

Submitted to: International Journal of Pediatrics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 23, 2010
Publication Date: August 1, 2010
Citation: Olvera, N., Graham, M., Mcleod, J., Kellam, S.F., Butte, N.F. 2010. Promoting moderate-vigorous physical activity in overweight minority girls. International Journal of Pediatrics. 2010:1-7.

Interpretive Summary: Children are encouraged to engage in 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), however, there is limited research on the types of activities that are most effective for promoting MVPA in children. This study determined which activities were most likely to elicit MVPA in overweight minority girls. MVPA was measured using an accelerometer in 31 overweight Latina and African-American girls (mean age 10.3 +/- 1.2 years) participating in a three week activity day camp. The activities included traditional fitness, sport skills, games, dancing, and flexibility sessions. Traditional fitness sessions (step aerobics and rumba) elicited the highest percent of time in MVPA, followed by dancing and games, sports skills, and lastly flexibility sessions. These results may be useful in planning exercise programs for overweight Latina and African American girls.

Technical Abstract: There is limited research on the types of activities that are most effective for promoting moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children. The purpose of this study was to assess which types of activities elicit MVPA in overweight minority girls. The sample consisted of 31 overweight Latina and African-American girls. Participants wore an Actical accelerometer each day for 8 hours for 15 days to assess engagement in MVPA during their participation in a three-week activity intervention that included traditional fitness, sport skills, games, dancing, and flexibility sessions. Our results showed on average 62% of participants met the MVPA recommended guidelines across the three weeks. Traditional fitness sessions elicited the highest percent of MVPA followed by dancing and games, sports skills and flexibility. Step aerobics and rumba fitness elicited the highest proportions of MVPA. Traditional fitness activities were identified as the most successful in eliciting MVPA in overweight Latina and African American girls.