title: A school-based, peer leadership physical activity intervention for 6th graders: feasibility and results of a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to promote physical activity in 6th graders by developing and testing the feasibility of an enhanced Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) program comprised of a peer leadership component and innovative exercise resource toolkit including DVDs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A racially/ethnically diverse sample of students received the standard PALA program (2 control schools, n = 61) or enhanced PALA+Peers program (2 intervention schools, n = 87) during 2006-2007 academic year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control condition, the intervention was successful in increasing moderate physical activity in all students (P = .02) and moderate and hard physical activity among girls (P = .03 and P = .04, respectively). Teachers and students reported a high level of satisfaction and receptivity with the intervention. All teachers thought the DVDs were well-received, and 87% of students reported that they would recommend the enhanced program to peers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coupling peer leadership and DVDs that promote physical activity may be an effective way to increase youth physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Daheia J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Barr-Anderson
authors.forename: Melissa N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Laska
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Veblen-Mortenson
authors.forename: Kian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Farbakhsh
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dudovitz
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Story
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration*; D040241:Social Marketing; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014741:Video Recording