The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69578

Gary Homann, MA, Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, P.O. Box 3415, Laramie, WY 82071-3415, (307)766-6303, gphomann@yahoo.com and Ron Hoard, Custer Youth Corrections Center, ExCEL Program, South Dakota Department of Corrections, HC83 Box 69A, Custer, SD 57730.

A 4-6 month wellness program for adjudicated teenage girls provided an opportunity to examine the effects of diet and exercise on fitness. Fitness levels of 56 girls (ages 14-17) were assessed monthly. Assessment measures included: a step test and timed mile for cardiovascular fitness; height, weight, body mass index (BMI), skinfolds (for percent body fat), waist and hips circumference for body composition; shuttle run for agility; standing jump, situps and bench press test for muscular strength and endurance; and sit-and-reach and straddle tests for flexibility. The program included two hours of daily exercise in activities like hiking, running, circuit training, step aerobics and basketball. Diet was designed to follow the Food Guide Pyramid (USDA) and adhere to institutional guidelines. Between intake and final assessment (Med=131 days), significant improvements were attained in cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, agility, and flexibility. Median body composition measures all worsened, however. Weight (+6 pounds), waist (+0.5 inches), hips (+0.75 inches), BMI (+1.0), and percent body fat (+0.9%) all increased. A comparison group with the same diet but without an exercise program gained more weight but other assessments were not done. This study demonstrates that sub-optimal diet may undermine benefits of exercise. Exercise needs to be combined with improvements in diet to produce the desired improvements in fitness. Suggestions for modifications to the Food Pyramid and nutritional guidelines are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
• Discuss the importance of combining dietary improvements with exercise in improving health and fitness.
• Address the difficulty in obtaining accurate fitness assessments with inexperienced staff and/or semicompliant participants.
• Learn about new more reliable methods of fitness assessment that can be used with less experienced staff and semicompliant participants.
• Identify weaknesses in the USDA Food Pyramid and discuss potential improvements.

Keywords: Exercise, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: South Dakota Department of Corrections
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.