PhysicalGenesis is the third study that will complete the spiritual, mental and physical components of Adventist education for the North American Division.

It is believed that the benefits of a long healthy life experienced by the senior members of the Seventh-day
Adventist church, as reflected in the ongoing longevity study by Loma Linda University, WILL NOT be experienced by the school age children of the church today.

Sedentary lifestyles that permeate today's society do not spare even those that are young and mobile. United States children and students are more likely to be obese and less fit than at any period before. The environment, peer pressure and even school policies has created an imbalance between the fundamental needs for a healthy development of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life of today's students. The health beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist church that have their foundation in creation and restoration call for a renewed emphasis on fitness and health to restore balance and overall wellness in the lives of our students, staff and teachers.

“True education... is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers.”Ed p. 13

INACTION is the greatest curse that EVER came upon youth .
3T p. 152

• Students in grades 5 through 11 in NAD Adventist schools.
• They will be tracked by using their NAD student ID number.

The North American Division Office of Education in cooperation with Loma Linda and La Sierra Universities.

NAD Health Education Committee conceptualized, raised funds for and are coordinating the study
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Jim Ingersoll, Southern Union Associate Director for
Secondary Education, co-chair
Keith Waters, North Pacific Union Director for
Secondary Education, co-chair
Matthew Lee, Physical Education teacher, PUC
Preparatory School
Tamara Ritterskamp, Physical Education teacher,
Forest Lake Academy
Dr. Rob Thomas, La Sierra University Chair of Health and Exercise Science Department
Chadd Watkins, Principal, Highland Academy
Doug Zimmerman, Vice Principal and Physical,
Education teacher, Escondido Academy

Representatives for
Loma Linda and La Sierra Universities
Dr. Nico Rizzo, Center of Community Resilience for
School of Public Health and his team of researchers from
Loma Linda University
• Developed the health behavior survey and will mine the raw data for outcomes from both the health behavior survey and the five-element fitness test.
Dr. Rob Thomas, Chair of the Health and Exercise Science
Department for La Sierra University
• Coordinates with Focused Fitness to ensure that the
WELNET portal will be set up to:
• import student information
• the health behavior survey, and
• the five elements of the FitnessGram physical fitness test.

The PhysicalGenesis Study is online
• Each student will take an online health survey
• Teachers will administer a five-element fitness test to each student and enter the results online

What are the seven elements that will be measured?
1. Height
2. Weight
3. Curl ups
4. Push ups
5. Shoulder stretch
6. Trunk lift
7. PACER or 1 mile run
NOTE: These seven elements are taken from the
President's Youth Fitness Program.

The window of time for implementation is February 1, 2016 through April 30, 2016.

Information about "The Health Survey"
Part of the PhysicalGenesis Study
Nico S. Rizzo, Med.Dr, PhD, MSc
Center of Community Resilience
School of Public Health
Loma Linda University
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The health survey will investigate health behaviors of children and adolescents and their relationship to health in the context of their school and home environment.
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Investigating the Health of our Youth is of vital Importance!
▪ Many children are overweight or obese. In 2013, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.
▪ Physical activity and nutrition are highly correlated to fitness and obesity.
▪ Physical fitness is related to overall well being and may help also to achieve higher academic performance.
▪ How are our children in our schools doing? Are they following the same trends?
▪ Schools have an important function in providing education and a safe environment for the growth of our children and students.
▪ What can we do to help our students to be healthier, fitter and mentally stronger?
Nico Rizzo 18

Percentage of High School Students who were Obese in the U.S. in 2013*
6.4% - 11.1%
11.2% - 12.4%
12.5% - 13.4%
13.5% - 18.0%
No Data
*95th percentile for body mass index, based on sex- and age-specific reference data from the 2000 CDC growth charts.
State Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, 2013

Nico Rizzo
Why is it so important to conduct a health behavior survey of our children?
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Nico Rizzo
Academic
Performance
Health
Spiritual
Environment
Genetics
We all live in a context that influences our health and wellbeing.
Geographic
Context
Cardiometabolic
Fitness
Physical
Activity
Knowing what our children eat, practice and where they live helps to understand better what contributes to their health.
School
Environment
Socio-
Cultural
Context
Nutrition
Home
Environment
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In order to answer these questions the survey will cover these areas
Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors
• Knowing how much physical activity students have in their daily lives helps to better understand their fitness levels when compared to activities done at school.
Nutrition and Food Intakes
• Dietary patterns of students are related to fitness, obesity and many other health factors.
Basic Anthropometrics and Physical Development
• Not everyone is the same and the assessment of weight, height and other anthropometrics helps to better understand the results.
Basic Demographics and Socioeconomics
• How we live and where we come from influences behaviors and health.
Basic Environmental Factors
• Do we live in rural or urban areas? In a small town or a city. Are there parks and sports facilities in the neighborhood? Where we live can influence behaviors and health.
Nico Rizzo 22

What will the questions that are being asked look like?
Nico Rizzo 23

Sample health survey questions for Physical Activity
How often did you participate in the following sports and other physical activities during the last week ?
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The health survey will provide valuable insights relating to the habits and lifestyles of students.
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Who are the team members at Loma Linda University working on the Health Survey?
Specialty Position
Nico S. Rizzo,
Chair, PI
Rhonda Spencer
Gina Siapco
Physical Activity, Nutrition, Obesity,
MetS, Epidemiology, Children Studies
Faculty LLU
Faculty LLU Asthma, Epidemiology, Children
Studies
Nutrition, Children Studies Faculty LLU
Leslie Martin
Wonha Kim
Psychology
Pediatrics
Nasira Burkholder Research Assistant
Faculty LLU
Faculty LLU
Doctoral Student
Nico Rizzo 26

Dr. Robert Thomas
La Sierra University

1. ValueGenesis studies 1990, 2000, 2010
2. CognitiveGenesis 2008-2012
3. PhysicalGenesis 2015 and ongoing

• To learn about the health behaviors of students in
Adventist schools
• To get new and relevant data on fitness levels since there has not been a national study assessing fitness levels of students since 1987
AAHPERD. (1987). The National Children and Youth Fitness Study II. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation &
Dance, 58(9), 49-96

1) What are the Fitness Levels of students within the Seventh-day
Adventist K-12 school system within the North American Division?
2) What are the Health-related Behaviors of students within the
Seventh-day Adventist K-12 school system within the North
American Division?
3) What possible relationships and potential differences exist between various demographics, fitness levels and behaviors of our students.

• Determine how our students compare regionally and nationally and infer how our school system compares
• Preliminary data suggests that children in Adventist schools may have fitness levels and obesity rates similar to their public school peers.
• Share with the Seventh-day Adventist Church the fitness level and health behavior results of our students

PhysicalGenesis outcomes can be studied in relationship to their impact on the academic performance of students who were and are involved in the CognitiveGenesis study.
NOTE: The relationship between fitness and academic performance is a study that has not been done on a national scale before.

Adventist schools will have the CREATION
Health™ school transformation initiative available that is designed to help students, teachers, and school communities make the needed behavior changes that result in better health and academic performance for students.

The ultimate outcome is to improve student health and restore balance to the Adventist school system.
Since the mind and the soul find expression through the body, BOTH mental and spiritual vigor are in great degree dependent upon physical strength and activity; WHATEVER promotes physical health, promotes the development of a strong mind and a well-balanced character.
Ed p. 195
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2

is being asked to participate in this important study that will:
• Provide understanding about the health of
Seventh-Day Adventist students in grades
5-11
• Identify what is needed to improve their health , and
• Allow them the opportunity to experience the quality and longevity of life that their ancestors have.