PURPOSE: Identify if outreach support increases school-aged children's participation in recreational activities. DESIGN: Cluster randomized trial. SETTING:Sixteen schools in economically vulnerable neighborhoods were randomized to either an intervention or control group. SUBJECTS: Children in grades 3 to 5 and their families were invited to participate. INTERVENTION: Children in intervention schools were assigned a "connector" (outreach worker) to facilitate participation in recreation activities. MEASURES: The Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) was the primary measure at baseline, middle, and end of 1 year. Demographics, body mass index, child physical and psychosocial health, coordination, and self-esteem were measured. ANALYSIS: A generalized linear model was used to test differences between intervention and control groups. RESULTS:Three hundred and sixty children enrolled, and 306 (85%) completed the study. A greater proportion of children in the intervention group compared with the control group increased participation in physical activity (21% vs. 10%, p = .02). Children who increased their activity were more likely to have higher levels of contact with the connectors (31% vs. 8%, p = .001). Study limitations included (1) 29% of eligible families participated, (2) first use of the CAPE instrument as a longitudinal measure, and (3) connectors were not blinded to group assignment. CONCLUSION: Children living in vulnerable neighborhoods benefit from outreach workers to connect them with physical activity programs.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: Identify if outreach support increases school-aged children's participation in recreational activities. DESIGN: Cluster randomized trial. SETTING: Sixteen schools in economically vulnerable neighborhoods were randomized to either an intervention or control group. SUBJECTS:Children in grades 3 to 5 and their families were invited to participate. INTERVENTION: Children in intervention schools were assigned a "connector" (outreach worker) to facilitate participation in recreation activities. MEASURES: The Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) was the primary measure at baseline, middle, and end of 1 year. Demographics, body mass index, child physical and psychosocial health, coordination, and self-esteem were measured. ANALYSIS: A generalized linear model was used to test differences between intervention and control groups. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty children enrolled, and 306 (85%) completed the study. A greater proportion of children in the intervention group compared with the control group increased participation in physical activity (21% vs. 10%, p = .02). Children who increased their activity were more likely to have higher levels of contact with the connectors (31% vs. 8%, p = .001). Study limitations included (1) 29% of eligible families participated, (2) first use of the CAPE instrument as a longitudinal measure, and (3) connectors were not blinded to group assignment. CONCLUSION:Children living in vulnerable neighborhoods benefit from outreach workers to connect them with physical activity programs.
Authors: R Glenn Weaver; Michael W Beets; Brent Hutto; Ruth P Saunders; Justin B Moore; Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy; Jennifer L Huberty; Dianne S Ward; Russell R Pate; Aaron Beighle; Darcy Freedman Journal: Health Educ Res Date: 2015-12
Authors: Robert G Weaver; Justin B Moore; Jennifer Huberty; Darcy Freedman; Brie Turner-McGrievy; Aaron Beighle; Diane Ward; Russell Pate; Ruth Saunders; Keith Brazendale; Jessica Chandler; Rahma Ajja; Becky Kyryliuk; Michael W Beets Journal: Health Promot Pract Date: 2016-05-22
Authors: Rachel Sutherland; Elizabeth Campbell; David R Lubans; Philip J Morgan; Anthony D Okely; Nicole Nathan; Luke Wolfenden; Jannah Jones; Lynda Davies; Karen Gillham; John Wiggers Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2013-01-22 Impact factor: 3.295