Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Physical Activity Among Hispanic‐American Middle School Students. (2nd March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arlinghaus, Katherine R.; Ledoux, Tracey A.; Johnston, Craig A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 91:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 307
• Page End: 317
• Publication Date: 2021-03-02
• Subjects: physical fitness -- curriculum -- physical education -- obesity -- sex differences -- accelerometry; 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.13004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) declines during adolescence, particularly among girls. In this randomized control trial, we examined MVPA in a physical activity intervention compared to physical education (PE) class as usual (TAU), stratified by sex and weight classification. Standardized BMI (zBMI) overtime was also examined. METHODS: Hispanic‐American middle school students (N = 193) were recruited from a school district in Houston, Texas. Participants were randomized to either a circuit‐based physical activity intervention or TAU (PE class as usual). MVPA was assessed using accelerometry at baseline and 6 months. Repeated measures ANCOVA were conducted to examine changes in MVPA, overall and stratified by sex and weight classification. This procedure was repeated for zBMI. RESULTS: Participants were 12.10 ± 0.63 years old and 53% were girls. Overall those in intervention increased weekday MVPA more than TAU (F(1, 190) = 7.03, p < .01). Intervention girls increased weekday MVPA; whereas TAU girls decreased weekday MVPA (F(1, 99) = 7.36, p < .01). Among those with obesity, there was no difference in MVPA between conditions (F(1, 56) = 0.33, p = .57), but Intervention decreased zBMI significantly more than TAU (F(1, 56) = 6.16, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Structured PE classes grounded in behavioral theory may be an important strategy to prevent typical decreases in MVPA during adolescence, particularly among girls and for youth with obesity.