Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Program in Child and Youth Studies
Advisor
Roberta Silfen
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Committee Member
Rochelle Green
Keywords
adapted physical education, aerobic fitness, childhood obesity, counseling, diet log, disabilities, fitness facilities, food pyramid, healthy food choices, lifetime wellness, middle school students, motor skills, nutritional programs, obesity, physical activity, physical education, progress monitoring, strength training, student checklists, United States Dairy Association, wellness
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to improve the lifetime wellness skills of middle school students with disabilities. It was conducted in an Adapted Physical Education Program, with support visits to a local fitness facility. The lifetime wellness activities included aerobic fitness, strength training, and making healthy food choices. Students in the past program were not given the opportunities to learn the skills needed to participate in these activities. The writer believed this contributed to the high incidence of childhood obesity and poor motor skills of the population.
Several aerobic fitness and strength training activities were selected by the writer. They were modeled and practiced at both sites. Each activity was broken down into basic objectives to be mastered one at a time. Progress was charted on checklists. Healthy food choices were addressed though counseling and a student diet log. The data from the diet log was entered into a nutritional program on the internet. It compared the student data to the United States Dairy Association’s Food Pyramid. Suggestions for improvements were made for students.
The data showed that students were able to master the skills needed to participate in lifetime wellness activities. Students improved their ability to participate in aerobic fitness and strength training activities at both locations. They were also able to increase their ability to make healthy food choices through the diet log and nutritional program. The results were an increase in physical activity, motor skills, and a healthier diet.