Blackwood, Amber
(2016)
The Pittsburgh parks prescription: a school-based approach to preventing childhood obesity.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
School-based, park-focused obesity prevention programs can be a creative solution to the rise in childhood and adolescent obesity rates in the last three decades. Studies have identified numerous physical and mental health benefits connected to physical activity and the outdoors. Several parks prescription programs have been developed and implemented to encourage youth to become more physically active by using their local parks. The Pittsburgh Parks Prescription (Rx) is a school-based pilot program delivered in two gym class settings in Pittsburgh’s Arsenal Elementary and Middle Schools. The program is significant to public health in its aims at increasing knowledge of local parks, desire to utilize park systems, and self-reported physical activity in parks. A review of successful school-based obesity prevention and parks prescription programs revealed a common ecological design. Interviews and small group discussions were held with key program informants to inform improvements for the Pittsburgh Parks Rx program. In response, proposed modifications were made to expand reach, increase flexibility, enhance sustainability, and integrate the Pittsburgh Parks Rx into existing programs.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
29 June 2016 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
19 April 2016 |
| Approval Date: |
29 June 2016 |
| Submission Date: |
29 March 2016 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
74 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Childhood obesity, parks prescription, preliminary program evaluation |
| Date Deposited: |
29 Jun 2016 19:45 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 14:32 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/27407 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[img]](https://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png)
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}