American Indian (AI) children are at high risk for Chronic Disease, appropriate intervention includes whole-body assessment. The purpose of this study was to determine the fitness level in American Indian children who attend TURTLE camp Fitness levels were assessed using the Fitnessgram tool and guidelines. Assessed stamina through Pacer test. Assessed abdominal strength through curl-up assessment. Assessed upper body strength through push-up assessment. Assessed flexibility through sit-and-reach assessment. Of the 66 children tested 58% were males. Forty-eight percent of sample were classified as overweight/obese and 58% did not achieve healthy fitness zone for all assessed indicators. Females scored higher on fitnessgram than did males. Healthy weight participants had higher fitnessgram scores. Both genders had high rates of upper-body strength. Males and females had lower success in abdominal strength and flexibility and classification in the overweight/obese category attenuated these results. Overweight/obesity is high in this population and appears to play a role in overall body fitness. Both genders had poor flexibility and abdominal strength which may be due to high amounts of sedentary time. Females had higher stamina than males indicating that gender may play a role in stamina-building event participation. These results suggest that overall fitness level is low for this population and interventions to address these weaknesses is warranted.
Learning Objectives:

Review prevalence and consequences of excess weight in AI Children

Discuss importance of assessing whole-body health to include physical fitness using the Fitnessgram

Review outcomes of fitnessgram assessment in AI children