Physical Activity Across the Curriculum - PAAC

    Increased physical activity has previously shown promise with weight management in children. Therefore, a minimal intervention model for elementary schools was developed to increase physical activity levels in an attempt to diminish childhood obesity.  Beginning in the fall of 2003, regular classroom teachers were taught to deliver existing academic lessons using physical activity and using a method called “Physical Activity Across the Curriculum,” (PAAC).  

   The primary aim of PAAC is to determine the effect increased physical activity has on the prevention of obesity in elementary school children.  Secondary aims focus on determining the relationships between physical activity and academic achievement, classroom management, aerobic fitness, and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

   PAAC was implemented in 13 schools in the Kansas City, Topeka and Lawrence as a three year physical activity intervention in elementary schools, targeting children in the 2nd through 5th grades. Additionally, 13 different schools were assigned as control schools. All 2nd through 5th grade regular education teachers in the intervention schools were trained to incorporate physical activity into their regular academic curriculum and were to accumulate 90-100 minutes/week of physical activity for three years.

   The main outcome of interest was a smaller increase in body mass index (BMI) for the intervention group compared to the control group.  For this comparison, all 2nd and 3rd grade students were followed for three years.  Secondary aims were assessed from a smaller sample pre- and post-intervention. All PAAC interventions and data collection were completed in the spring of 2006 and data analysis is underway.

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