Intergenerational Exercise Addresses the Public Health Issue of Obesity
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6080468 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Barbara M Friedman (Council for Jewish Elderly, corresponding author), Francine Godfrey |
| Year | 2007 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 79-94 |
| Publication date | 2007-06-27 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Intergenerational Relationships (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1535-0770 • E-ISSN: 1535-0932 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1300/j194v05n01_06 |
| OpenAlex | W1952043527 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 17 |
Health practitioners are increasingly concerned about the rise in obesity and decrease in physical activity in society. This article reports on an intergenerational exercise program involving participants from Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly and four preschool classes in Newton, Massachusetts. The program attempts to address those health issues using an intergenerational approach. Children between ages 3 and 5, and older adults come together weekly during the course of a school year for preliteracy play, intergenerational stories that raise awareness of aging issues and nutritional snacks. An exercise class is added to this program monthly. The exercise component reflects the physical needs of both groups. The classes enable older adults to recognize their important role as models for lifelong exercise, while simultaneously addressing their own health habits. Children see older adults in non-stereotypic activity and begin to understand that exercise is a lifelong pursuit. Significant changes were seen in the ability of the children to follow directions, complete exercise routines, gain strength, and understand muscle and body functioning. Older adults gain health benefits from attending classes routinely, and show an increase in self-esteem as they act as role models
Developmental psychology · Obesity · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Public health · Aging and Gerontology Research · Medicine · Nursing · Obesity and Health Practices · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Gerontology
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,3 |
| Citation span | 2016 - 2025 (10) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |