Changing from primary to secondary school highlights opportunities for school environment interventions aiming to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour: a longitudinal cohort study

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Research

Lisa M Barnett¹  Claudia Strugnell²  Jennifer Marks³  Steven Allender³ 

[1] School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia;WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia;WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia;School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia;

关键词: Child;    Adolescent;    Environment;    Behaviours;    School transition;    Physical activity;    Sedentary;    Screen;    Longitudinal studies;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12966-015-0218-0

 received in 2014-12-17, accepted in 2015-04-24,  发布年份 2015

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThere is little empirical evidence of the impact of transition from primary to secondary school on obesity-related risk behaviour. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a change of school system on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour in pre-early adolescents.MethodsFifteen schools in Victoria, Australia were recruited at random from the bottom two strata of a five level socio-economic scale. In nine schools, students in year 6 primary school transitioned to a different school for year 7 secondary school, while in six schools (combined primary-secondary), students remained in the same school environment from year 6 to year 7. Time 1 (T1) measures were collected from students (N=245) in year 6 (age 11-13). Time 2 (T2) data were collected from 243 (99%) of the original student cohort when in year 7.PA and sedentary behaviour data were collected objectively (via ActiGraph accelerometer) and subjectively (via child self-report recall questionnaire). School environment data were collected via school staff survey. Change of behaviour analyses were conducted longitudinally i) for all students and ii) by change/no change of school. Mixed model regression analysis tested for behavioural interaction effects of changing/not changing school.ResultsSixty-three percent (N=152) changed schools from T1 to T2. Across all students we observed declines in average daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (−4 min) and light PA (−23 min), and increases in average daily sedentary behaviour (16 min), weekday leisure screen time (17 min) and weekday homework screen time (25 min), all P<0.05. Compared to students who remained in the same school environment, students who changed school reported a greater reduction in PA intensity at recess and lunch, less likelihood to cycle to/from school, greater increase in weekday (41 mins) and weekend (45 mins) leisure screen time (P<0.05) and greater encouragement to participate in sport. School staff surveys identified that sport participation encouragement was greater in primary and combined primary-secondary than secondary schools (P<0.05).ConclusionTransitioning from primary to secondary school negatively impacts on children’s PA and sedentary behaviour, and has further compounding effects on behaviour type by changing school environments.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Marks et al.; licensee BioMed Central. 2015