Children are more sedentary, less physically active, and currently experiencing increased health problems like obesity, hypertension, and depression. Health behaviors formed in late childhood and early adolescence establish a foundation for healthy habits that persist through adulthood. Children need physical activity programs to establish healthy habits and reduce the risk of health complications. Childhood obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and depression have increased dramatically in the past 20 years, creating a public health crisis. Pediatric physical therapists can design and implement programs to meet children’s physical activity needs. A paucity of research exists relating the efficacy of community-based programs to physical, mental, and social health domains in literature. This quasi-experimental, quantitative study aimed to assess the health-related effects of a community-based program to increase physical activity for children ages 8-13 years. Effects of the 9-week program were assessed using cardiovascular fitness metrics, and self-reported measures of physical activity, global and mental health and social well-being.
