Developing mental and physical wellness for looked after young people through a fitness and nutritional guidance programme : a pilot study

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Fitzgerald, N. and Aherne, C. and Gaynor, D. and Sheppard, A. and Gargan, I. (2014) Developing mental and physical wellness for looked after young people through a fitness and nutritional guidance programme : a pilot study. Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care, 13 (2). ISSN 1478-1840

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Abstract

This pilot study aimed to explore the suitability of a fitness and nutritional guidance programme (FNGP) for looked after young people and examine changes in physical fitness and mental wellness levels. Fourteen looked after young people took part in a nine-month long FNGP. Reflective feedback was obtained from the therapists and attendance was monitored to examine suitability. Fitness (i.e. body mass index, resting heart rate, lung capacity, aerobic capacity, lower body strength, flexibility) and wellness (i.e. physical indicators of anger, depression, stress and tension) levels were measured at four time points using Fitech V5 Wellness Software. The key strengths of programme were its accessibility for looked after young people, their positive interaction with the fitness therapists and their activity engagement. Attendance rates were high, with 13 participants attending at least one physical activity session per week for nine months. Repeated measures analysis of covariance revealed significant positive changes in the participants' fitness and wellness levels across the nine month period when controlling for alcohol consumption and smoking status. Results provide tentative support for the application of suitable FNGPs for looked after young people. The value of activity engagement for looked after young people in residential care and its effects on health and wellbeing are discussed.

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https://doi.org/10.17868/strath.00084966
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