title: Implementing Child-focused Activity Meter Utilization into the Elementary School Classroom Setting Using a Collaborative Community-based Approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of pediatric obesity has increased over the past 3 decades and is a pressing public health program. New technology advancements that can encourage more physical in children are needed. The Zamzee program is an activity meter linked to a motivational website designed for children 8-14 years of age. The objective of the study was to use a collaborative approach between a medical center, the private sector and local school staff to assess the feasibility of using the Zamzee Program in the school-based setting to improve physical activity levels in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a pilot 8-week observational study offered to all children in one fifth grade classroom. Body mass index (BMI), the amount of physical activity by 3-day recall survey, and satisfaction with usability of the Zamzee Program were measured pre- and post-study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 11 children who enrolled in the study, 7 completed all study activities. In those who completed the study, the median (interquartile range) total activity time by survey increased by 17 (1042) minutes and the BMI percentile change was 0 (8). Both children and their caregivers found the Zamzee Activity Meter (6/7) and website (6/7) "very easy" or "easy" to use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Zamzee Program was found to be usable but did not significantly improve physical activity levels or BMI. Collaborative obesity intervention projects involving medical centers, the private sector and local schools are feasible but the effectiveness needs to be evaluated in larger-scale studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, USA.
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Biggs
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cristiani
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quigg
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maxson
authors.affiliation: Section of Patient Education, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Swenson
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jacobson
keywords: Assistive technology; Body mass index; Childhood obesity; Obesity; Overweight; Pediatric obesity; Physical activity; Schools