title: Park-based afterschool program to improve cardiovascular health and physical fitness in children with disabilities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children with disabilities are more likely to be overweight or obese and less likely to engage in physical activities versus their peers without disabilities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The effect of a structured afterschool program housed in a large county parks system on several obesity-related health outcomes among children with disabilities was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children/adolescents with a developmental and/or intellectual disability ages 6-22 (N = 52, mean age 13.7 years) who participated in an afterschool (either 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 school year) health and wellness program called Fit-2-Play™ were assessed. Pre-post comparison of outcome variables (mean height, weight, waist/hip/midarm circumference, fitness tests, and a 9-item health and wellness knowledge assessment) via general linear mixed models analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the program for normal and overweight/obese participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normal weight participants significantly improved pre-post mean number of push-ups (9.69-14.23, p = 0.01) and laps on the PACER test (8.54-11.38, p < 0.01) and the overweight/obese group significantly improved the number of sit ups (7.51-9.84, p < 0.01) and push ups (4.77-9.89, p < 0.001). Pre-post mean health and wellness knowledge composite scores significantly improved for all participants (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parks-based afterschool programs can be effective community resources for instilling physical health in both normal weight and overweight/obese children with disabilities. More studies are needed to ascertain whether community-based afterschool health and wellness programs can be implemented and sustained across this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Kanathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haney
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Clinical Research, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. Electronic address: smessiah@med.miami.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Messiah
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Clinical Research, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Kristopher L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Arheart
authors.affiliation: Miami Dade Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.affiliation: Miami Dade Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diego
authors.affiliation: Miami Dade Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kardys
authors.affiliation: Miami Dade Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kirwin
authors.affiliation: Miami Dade Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Renae
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nottage
authors.affiliation: Miami Dade Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Shawn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Clinical Research, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Somarriba
authors.affiliation: Miami Dade Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Binhack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012016:Reference Values; D012574:Schools; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Children; Disability; Obesity; Physical activity; Prevention