Association of a Behaviorally Based High School Health Education Curriculum With Increased Exercise. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Annesi, James J.; Trinity, John; Mareno, Nicole; Walsh, Stephanie M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of school nursing. Volume 31:Number 3(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: exercise -- health education -- health/wellness -- evidence-based practice; School health services -- Periodicals; School nursing -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1177/1059840514536993
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-8405

Abstract

Increasing exercise in children and adolescents through academic classes is an understudied area. Potential benefits include associated improvements in health, psychosocial, and quality-of-life factors. A sample of 98 students ( M age = 14.3) from high school health education classes received six, 40-min lessons incorporating cognitive–behavioral methods to increase exercise over 6 weeks. Significant within-group improvements in exercise, mood, and body satisfaction were found, with slightly larger effect sizes identified for the boys. Increase in exercise was significantly associated with reduced mood distress (β = −.17, p < .001). For the girls only, change in body satisfaction significantly mediated that relationship, and a reciprocal relationship between changes in mood and body satisfaction was also identified. Incorporation of lessons emphasizing goal setting and self-regulation within high school health education classes may foster increased exercise and associated improvements in mood and body satisfaction. For girls, the positive effects may reinforce one another.