LOOK is a longitudinal project over four years invovling primary school children. It is a multi-disciplinary project that monitors many aspects of health, specifically early symptoms of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, bone health, immuno-competence, psychological problems, as well as postural and coordination.

The Questions we want our research to answer:

We have many questions, but our basic ones are:

• Can lifestyle choices, even those in primary school, affect the current health of our kids?
• Is it possible that lifestyle choices in the formative years can set the pattern for health throughout adulthood?
• Is provision of special movement education worth the effort with our growing children?

The Research Design

We propose to measure the physical activity levels and nutritional intake of 1000 ACT children beginning at age 7-8 years, carefully monitoring a wide range of markers of bone, metabolic and cardiovascular health as well as psycho-social well-being and body movement efficiency. These children, now in Term 4 of Grade 2 2005, will be followed through to Grade 6, finishing in 2009.

We also aim to investigate the influence of the quality of physical activity by introducing a special physical activity program to half the schools in our study over the four year period. This will be carried out by trained teachers who will visit the schools and take the lessons and provide all the equipment free of charge.

The health factors being measured

We offer to investigate whether relationships exist between lifestyle factors, especially physical activity, and

• bone density and strength
• incidence of risk factors associated cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
• our immune system and the incidence of sickness during the year
• psychological health including self-esteem and self -confidence
• body composition
• postural control and balance
• team-work and social skills
• academic achievement

In conjunction with the special physical activity program introduced to half of the schools we will also offer a professional development training course to the class-room teachers, conducted during class time. In so doing we propose an investigation of the effectiveness and sustainability of this program.

Proposed time-frame:

The project will begin in Term 4, 2005, October 10. The first major data collection period will
be completed at the end of Term 4, on December 16. The second and third (final) data collection periods will be in Term 4, 2007 and Term 4, 2009. Final reports and papers will be written in 2010