Food & Health Alliance

Powell, K. E.; Roberts, A. M.; Ross, J. G.; Phillips, M. A.; Ujamaa, D. A. & Zhou, M.  Georgia Health Policy Center, Georgia State University and Macro International, Inc., Maryland. (2009).

Study that focused on the fitness levels of adolescents in Georgia, America.

Aim:  The study aimed to document levels of fitness in this specific age-group, to ascertain the proportion of adolescents adhering to national guidelines for physical activity levels.  The study also aimed to provide base-line measures for any behavioural change to be measured against and provide information to cause debates and changes in policy. 

Method:  A sample stratified according to grade level, urban/rural status and race/ethnicity was generated, with children being randomly sampled from selected classes.  Measures that indicated fitness and minimized competition were taken through a programme called Fitnessgram.  This programme refers to the term healthy fitness zone (HFZ),a set of scores that indicate protection from health risks and a level that children should reach if they regularly participate in physical activity.  Measures such as BMI, aerobic capacity, flexibility of hamstring muscles, strength and flexibility of the back, trunk muscles and upper body were recorded.  The 3 day physical activity recall (3DPAR) self=-report diary was also used. 

Findings:  In this sample 30% of participants were not in HFZ for BMI, 52% were not in the HFZ for cardiovascular fitness ad 22% did not report enough daily activity. Boys were more likely than girls to not be in the HFZ for cardiovascular fitness and BMI.  Some ethnic differences were also noted particularly that Hispanics and black adolescents were more likely to report insufficient daily physical activity than white adolescents.  Therefore substantial numbers of the full sample were unfit. 

Suggestions:  It should be noted that the measure of BMI is not concurrent with what is generally used within the literature.  It is apparent that physical inactivity has led to poor levels of fitness in a number of different physical areas.  By completing similar studies with adolescents from different geographical locations should help to provide better knowledge in changes in fitness and the efficacy of interventions.

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