Date of Publication

2-4-2011

Abstract

Introduction/Background: In the United States, childhood obesity has become the leading pediatric chronic disease. Increased caloric intake and decreased energy expenditure is hypothesized as contributing to the upward trend of obesity. Independent of adult weight, obese children have increased morbidity and mortality from metabolic syndrome as adults. Individuals engaging in exercise programs as short as 6 months have shown improvement in risk factors including body fat mass, waist/hip ratio, ambulatory systolic blood pressure, fasting insulin, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein ratio. In our study, adolescents were taught a foundation of health and well-being that incorporated regular exercise. Nutrition was taught through an evidence-based systems approach, including lessons about the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal systems. Our aim was to improve adolescent food choices and increase physical activity through interactive educational sessions.

Advisor(s)

Jan Riordan, Greater Burlington YMCA

Stuart Offer, MS, DC, Greater Burlington YMCA

Nancy Drucker, MD, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Agency

Adolescent HealthGreater Burlington YMCA

Subjects

Nutrition and Weight Status, Physical Activity

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License

Promoting Physical Activity and Nutrition in Adolescents
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