Oct. 20, 2009

For Immediate Release

Campbellsville University to hold Faculty Colloquium on ‘Rural Children Living in Eastern Kentucky'

By Christina Miller, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—Campbellsville University will hold a faculty colloquium titled, “Physical Activity, Body Composition and Academic Achievement in Rural Children Living In Eastern Kentucky,” Thursday, Oct. 29, given by Dr. Jill Day, assistant professor of human performance, in room 15 of the Administration Building at 104 University Drive, Campbellsville.

            The public is invited to attend this free event, which will be from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

            Day said, “The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship among physical activity, body composition, and academic performance/achievement, and determine differences, if any, that exist in these variables between males and females.”

            The study took place in a rural county in eastern Kentucky with a very low socioeconomic status, consisting of 277 fourth and fifth grade students, ages eight to 12.

            Day said, “Increases in the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents have led to great health concerns of the United States' youth, particularly in rural, southern areas of the country.”

            Students who obtained parental consent were given pedometers to wear during school hours for one school week to measure in-school (steps) physical activity. After school activity was measured through a questionnaire. In addition, body composition, including percent body fat, fat mass, and fat free mass, were measured. Also, academic performance scores (nine weeks grades) and academic achievement scores in reading and math were obtained from the students' teachers.

            Day compared the results between male and female students in her study, which will be presented in the colloquium.

            Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2010 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in the south. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.

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