Learning Objectives

After completion of this module students will be able to:

• Describe the impact of school-based and physical activity interventions.
• Explore outcomes related to randomized controlled trials with interventions for school-aged children.
• Discuss the components of community interventions that are critical to obesity prevention.

Key Concepts - Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH):

• CATCH was originally developed as an evidence-based program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• CATCH components include a classroom curriculum, physical education, staff wellness, food service, and family involvement.
• Research has shown that CATCH programs have been effective in increasing physical activity levels, decrease in television viewing and sedentary activities, improvements in standardized test scores, and increasing bone density.

Key Concepts - Physical Activity Interventions

• Physical activity among children has been declining and children are failing to meet recommended national guidelines.
• Children ages 6 to 18 should get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily.
• Physical function in children FIT Kids intervention improved cognitive control (attentional inhibition and cognitive flexibility) in 7-10 year old children.

Video Microlectures

• Video: CATCH: Coordinated School Health Intervention
  Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator, Champaign-Urbana Department of Public Health, Champaign Country, Illinois

• Video: Fit Kids: Physical Activity Intervention
  Dr. Naiman A. Khan, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Optional Readings

• Hoelscher, D. M., Springer, A. E., Ranjit, N., Perry, C. L., Evans, A. E., Stigler, M., & Kelder, S. H. (2010). Reductions in child obesity among disadvantaged school children with community involvement: the Travis County CATCH Trial. Obesity, 18(S1), S36-S44.
• Hillman, C. H., Pontifex, M. B., Castelli, D. M., Khan, N. A., Raine, L. B., Scudder, M. R., ... & Kamijo, K. (2014). Effects of the FITKids randomized controlled trial on executive control and brain function. Pediatrics, 134(4), e1063-e1071.