Developing a statewide childhood body mass index surveillance program.

Background: Several states have implemented childhood obesity surveillance programs supported by legislation. Representatives from Idaho wished to develop a model for childhood obesity surveillance without the support of state legislation, and subsequently report predictors of overweight and obesity in the state.

Methods: A coalition comprised of the Idaho State Department of Education and 4 universities identified a randomized cluster sample of schools.

Initial reliability and validity of the lift-and-raise hamstring test.

The Lift-and-Raise hamstring flexibility test was developed as a field-based assessment to eliminate the effects of individual and developmental differences in arm, leg, and trunk lengths found with the commonly used Sit-and-Reach tests. This study assessed the initial reliability of the prototype instrument and its validity by comparing obtained values from a Cybex Testing and Rehabilitation System. Flexibility of the left leg was assessed on 53 college-aged participants (women, n = 28; men, n = 25) using the Lift-and-Raise test by 2 independent testers to determine initial reliability measures.

Impact of pedometer use and self-regulation strategies on junior high school physical education students daily step counts.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of pedometer use and self-regulation strategies on adolescents' daily physical activity.

Methods: Junior high school students (n=113) enrolled in seventh- and eighth-grade physical education classes (52 girls, 61 boys) volunteered to participate in a 5-week study to assess daily step counts. Ten physical education classes were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: (a) self-regulation, (b) open, and (c) control.