A Preliminary Evaluation of a Cost-effective, In-class Physical Activity and Nutrition Education Intervention for 3^rd through 6^th Grade Students

Objectives: California elementary schools are mandated to provide students with regular physical education. This pilot study compared an evidence-based physical education program to a modified version of the program that was cheaper, and emphasized brief, simple physical activity classroom breaks at teachers' discretion. Methods: Participants were 523 3^rd through 6^th grade students and their parents who completed pre-test and post-test surveys. Results: Relative to control students, intervention students demonstrated greater reductions in overweight/obesity status and parent-reported screen time, but also a decrease in parent-reported frequency of fruit and vegetable intake. Conclusions: Modifications to an existing physical activity intervention may be made to reduce costs and facilitate teacher implementation. Additional resources may be needed to impact nutrition behaviors.