Preliminary Assessment of a School‐Based Healthy Lifestyle Intervention Among Rural Elementary School Children. (11th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ling, Jiying; King, Kristi M.; Speck, Barbara J.; Kim, Seongho; Wu, Dongfeng
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 84:Number 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 247
• Page End: 255
• Publication Date: 2014-03-11
• Subjects: School health services -- Periodicals; School children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; 371.71
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12143
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="josh12143-abs-0001"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="josh12143-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>BACKGROUND</title> <p id="josh12143-para-0001">Childhood obesity has become a national public health crisis in America. Physical inactivity and unhealthy eating behaviors may contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic. School‐based healthy lifestyle interventions play a promising role in preventing and controlling childhood obesity. A comprehensive school‐based healthy lifestyle intervention was implemented in 4 rural elementary schools in Kentucky.</p> </sec> <sec id="josh12143-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p id="josh12143-para-0002">The intervention included 4 goals: improving physical education, health education, family/community involvement, and school wellness policies. Children's physical activity was assessed by pedometer, and nutrition was assessed by a previous day recall survey in January (baseline), February (t1), March (t2), April (t3), and May (t4) of 2011.</p> </sec> <sec id="josh12143-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p id="josh12143-para-0003">The intervention had significant effects on increasing the percentages of children meeting physical activity (1% vs 5%, p < .01) and nutrition (15% vs 26%, p < .01) recommendations. The effects of the intervention on physical activity and nutrition depended on school, grade, and age of the children. There was an increasing linear trend of physical activity and an increasing quadratic trend of nutrition over time among children.</p> </sec> <sec id="josh12143-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p id="josh12143-para-0004">The intervention had beneficial effects in improving healthy behaviors among children. Further studies are needed to assess its long‐term effects and cost‐effectiveness.</p> </sec> </abstract>