Mixed‐Methods Evaluation of a Healthy Exercise, Eating, and Lifestyle Program for Primary Schools. (11th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cochrane, Thomas; Davey, Rachel C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 87:Number 11(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 823
• Page End: 831
• Publication Date: 2017-10-11
• Subjects: child and adolescent health -- growth and development -- health policy -- nutrition and diet -- physical fitness and sport; 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.12555
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Reversing decline in physical fitness and increase in excess body weight in school children are considered major public health challenges. We evaluated a proposed model to integrate a screening and healthy exercise, eating, and lifestyle program (HEELP) into primary schools in Canberra, Australia. Objectives were: (1) to establish body status and physical competencies of 5‐ to 10‐year‐old children; (2) to evaluate the service's impact on body status and physical fitness; and (3) to gauge parent/guardian and school perspectives on the service. METHODS: A mixed‐methods approach was used over 4 school years, 2010‐2013. Primary evaluation used direct quantitative measurement. Confirmatory qualitative methods were implemented in the last 2 years. RESULTS: The service was delivered on 71 occasions involving 25 schools; 7750 children were screened and 709 completed all aspects of the HEELP evaluation. Over 60% of children screened had 2 or more measures that would benefit from remedial intervention. CONCLUSIONS: All body status and physical fitness measures showed small beneficial changes on a population basis immediately after the HEELP. Further benefit did not accrue at 6 months after the program. Semistructured interviews with schools and parent/guardian surveys confirmed some beneficial effects observed by direct quantitative measurement.