Schools chosen for obesity study
By JENNIFER GARLESKY
Daily American Correspondent
DAVIDSVILLE - School board members expressed their concerns about the district's involvement in a proposed childhood obesity research project conducted by the Winder Research Institute at Monday night's committee meeting.
WRI Senior Director of Cardiovascular Disease Research Dr. Darrell Ellsworth addressed the district's concerns regarding student involvement in the study.
“This research project is going to address childhood wellness by teaching children how to eat healthy, increase physical activity and teach stress management techniques,” Ellsworth said.
The study will involve fourth-grade students from both the Windber and Conemaugh Township school districts, he said.
Windber will serve as the experimental site. The school plans to change the students' eating habits by altering cafeteria menus and serving healthier meals. The school will also initiate a new activity program called ExerLearning in which students will increase their exercise levels by using donated dance pads and software from RedOctane and GenerationFIT.
Students will have access to the dance pads daily and will be encouraged to use them for 10 to 15 minutes, Ellsworth said.
Conemaugh Township will aid the study by serving as the control group, which will require students to complete a series of examinations throughout the 2006-2007 school year.
Students from both sites will be asked to complete a physical examination measuring body mass index, blood pressure and physical measurements. Students will also be asked to provide a small blood sample to measure their cholesterol levels and detect any early signs of cardiovascular diseases.
The last requirement is the students' Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test scores and the completion of a questionnaire to assess the child's self-esteem and self-image. The study will examine PSSA scores to determine if physical health translates into better academic performance.
“In addition to the physical examination, the study is also requesting students' medical history, which will be used to determine if the child has a medical condition that might present complications to the study,” Ellsworth said.
The institute chose Conemaugh Township and Windber because of the similarities between the two school districts and their students.
Windber approved the project on March 7, but Conemaugh Township has been considering the project for some time .
The blood sample has created some hesitation among board members.
Member Stacia Meyers questioned the location of where the blood would be drawn on the student.
Ellsworth said the blood sample will be less than one-half of a tablespoon and will come from the top of the student's foot.
“This location was chosen because it is less visible to the children and will minimize their apprehension,” he said. Two pediatric phlebotomists would draw the blood.
In order to ensure the study's success, Ellsworth is asking for 25 to 30 fourth-grade students, who would participate on a voluntary basis.
“If township does not meet the target amount of students to participate, the WRI will have to find an additional control site,” he said.
The institute will notify parents about the study expectations. Parents who choose to have their children participate must sign a nine-page consent form.
If the project is successful, Ellsworth hopes to expand the study to other school districts in the region and continue the study on a long-term basis.
“If a student participated in fourth grade we would like to continue into fifth grade and (eventually) into high school,” he said.
The board is expected to take action on the proposal at its July 18 meeting.
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