Monika Uys1, Catherine E Draper2, Sharief Hendricks2, Anniza de Villiers3, Jean Fourie3, Nelia P Steyn4, Estelle V Lambert2. 1. Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa. monika.uys@hotmail.com. 2. Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa. 3. Non-communicable Diseases Research Unit (NCDRU), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), South Africa. 4. Division of Human Nutrition, University of Cape Town Medical Campus, South Africa.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a whole-of-school health promotion program targeting healthy eating and physical activity on physical fitness levels, and physical activity-related knowledge, attitudes and behavior of primary school children. METHODS:Sixteen primary schools were randomly assigned as intervention (N = 8) and control (N = 8) schools. A selection of tests from the Eurofit testing battery was used to assess changes in fitness levels over the 3 years of the intervention. Anthropometric measurements included height and weight. A physical activity knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) questionnaire was administered to participants. Multi-level mixed effect linear models were used to assess differences between intervention and control schools. RESULTS: No overall improvement in physical fitness was found. The sit-ups score improved significantly in the intervention group (p < .05). No overall intervention effects were found on the determinants of physical activity behavior. Knowledge improved in both the intervention (p = .005) and control (p < .001) groups. CONCLUSION: The lack of a specific intervention effect on fitness levels and physical activity-related KAB indicates that a "low intensity" intervention is not effective in South African primary school settings.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a whole-of-school health promotion program targeting healthy eating and physical activity on physical fitness levels, and physical activity-related knowledge, attitudes and behavior of primary school children. METHODS: Sixteen primary schools were randomly assigned as intervention (N = 8) and control (N = 8) schools. A selection of tests from the Eurofit testing battery was used to assess changes in fitness levels over the 3 years of the intervention. Anthropometric measurements included height and weight. A physical activity knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) questionnaire was administered to participants. Multi-level mixed effect linear models were used to assess differences between intervention and control schools. RESULTS: No overall improvement in physical fitness was found. The sit-ups score improved significantly in the intervention group (p < .05). No overall intervention effects were found on the determinants of physical activity behavior. Knowledge improved in both the intervention (p = .005) and control (p < .001) groups. CONCLUSION: The lack of a specific intervention effect on fitness levels and physical activity-related KAB indicates that a "low intensity" intervention is not effective in South African primary school settings.
Authors: Luke Wolfenden; Sam McCrabb; Courtney Barnes; Kate M O'Brien; Kwok W Ng; Nicole K Nathan; Rachel Sutherland; Rebecca K Hodder; Flora Tzelepis; Erin Nolan; Christopher M Williams; Sze Lin Yoong Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2022-08-29
Authors: Rebecca K Hodder; Kate M O'Brien; Fiona G Stacey; Flora Tzelepis; Rebecca J Wyse; Kate M Bartlem; Rachel Sutherland; Erica L James; Courtney Barnes; Luke Wolfenden Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2019-11-07
Authors: Rebecca K Hodder; Fiona G Stacey; Kate M O'Brien; Rebecca J Wyse; Tara Clinton-McHarg; Flora Tzelepis; Erica L James; Kate M Bartlem; Nicole K Nathan; Rachel Sutherland; Emma Robson; Sze Lin Yoong; Luke Wolfenden Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2018-01-25
Authors: Luke Wolfenden; Nicole K Nathan; Rachel Sutherland; Sze Lin Yoong; Rebecca K Hodder; Rebecca J Wyse; Tessa Delaney; Alice Grady; Alison Fielding; Flora Tzelepis; Tara Clinton-McHarg; Benjamin Parmenter; Peter Butler; John Wiggers; Adrian Bauman; Andrew Milat; Debbie Booth; Christopher M Williams Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2017-11-29
Authors: Sonja Klingberg; Catherine E Draper; Lisa K Micklesfield; Sara E Benjamin-Neelon; Esther M F van Sluijs Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-04-04 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Rebecca K Hodder; Kate M O'Brien; Fiona G Stacey; Rebecca J Wyse; Tara Clinton-McHarg; Flora Tzelepis; Erica L James; Kate M Bartlem; Nicole K Nathan; Rachel Sutherland; Emma Robson; Sze Lin Yoong; Luke Wolfenden Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2018-05-17