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Physical Activity and Teenage Health (PATH) Program

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

The Physical Activity and Teenage Health (PATH) Program is a school-based intervention for adolescents to prevent risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. The program is implemented in 30-minute sessions, five days a week, for 12 weeks and replaces regular physical education classes. Each session begins with discussion on a relevant cardiovascular health topic and suggestions are made for modifying health behaviors. The remainder of each session is devoted to vigorous physical exercise, alternating aerobic activities with resistance exercises for strength training. Discussion topics include diet, exercise, stress, and smoking. The program is available to adolescents aged 14 to 19 years, and classes contain students in grades 9 through 12.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the PATH Program is to improve knowledge of cardiovascular health and reduce risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

Results / Accomplishments

When compared to a control group participating in traditional physical education classes, PATH participants have significantly improved health knowledge and test scores (p < 0.006). Girls participating in the program significantly improved dietary habits (p < 0.05), reduced cholesterol (p < 0.004), and had higher estimated lung capacity (p < 0.0001) when compared to the control group.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Queens College Department of Urban Studies
Primary Contact
Marcia Bayne-Smith
Department of Urban Studies
Powdermaker Hall, Room 250 R
Queens College, CUNY
65-30 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11367
marcia_smith@qc.edu
http://rtips.cancer.gov/rtips/programDetails.do?pr...
Topics
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Physical Activity
Organization(s)
Queens College Department of Urban Studies
Source
Journal of Adolescent Health
Date of publication
1996
Date of implementation
1994
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
New York, NY
For more details
http://rtips.cancer.gov/rtips/programDetails.do?pr...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8860788?itool=E...
Target Audience
Teens

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  3. CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Environmental and Policy Approaches to Increase Physical Activity: Community-Scale Urban Design Land Use Policies
  4. Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child-Care (NAP SACC)
  5. CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Environmental and Policy Approaches to Increase Physical Activity: Creation of or Enhanced Access to Places for Physical Activity Combined with Informational Outreach Activities
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Related Content for: Physical Activity and Teenage Health (PATH) Program

An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance