Efficacy of a compulsory homework programme for increasing physical activity and healthy eating in children: the healthy homework pilot study

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Research

Julia C McPhee¹  Scott Duncan¹  Caryn Zinn¹  Grant Schofield¹  Philip J Schluter²  Richard Smith³ 

[1] Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, AUT University, New Zealand;Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand;School of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies, AUT University, New Zealand;School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Queensland, Australia;National Institute of Education, Singapore;

关键词: Physical Activity;    Screen Time;    Vegetable Consumption;    Sport Participation;    Significant Intervention Effect;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1479-5868-8-127

 received in 2010-12-10, accepted in 2011-11-15,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMost physical activity and nutrition interventions in children focus on the school setting; however, evidence suggests that children are less active and have greater access to unhealthy food at home. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the efficacy of a compulsory homework programme for increasing physical activity and healthy eating in children.MethodsThe six-week 'Healthy Homework' programme and complementary teaching resource was developed under the guidance of an intersectoral steering group. Eight senior classes (year levels 5-6) from two diverse Auckland primary schools were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. A total of 97 children (57 intervention, 40 control) aged 9-11 years participated in the evaluation of the intervention. Daily step counts were monitored immediately before and after the intervention using sealed multiday memory pedometers. Screen time, sports participation, active transport to and from school, and the consumption of fruits, vegetables, unhealthy foods and drinks were recorded concurrently in a 4-day food and activity diary.ResultsHealthy Homework resulted in a significant intervention effect of 2,830 steps.day-1 (95% CI: 560, 5,300, P = 0.013). This effect was consistent between sexes, schools, and day types (weekdays and weekend days). In addition, significant intervention effects were observed for vegetable consumption (0.83 servings.day-1, 95% CI: 0.24, 1.43, P = 0.007) and unhealthy food consumption (-0.56 servings.day-1, 95% CI: -1.05, -0.07, P = 0.027) on weekends but not weekdays, with no interactions with sex or school. Effects for all other variables were not statistically significant regardless of day type.ConclusionsCompulsory health-related homework appears to be an effective approach for increasing physical activity and improving vegetable and unhealthy food consumption in children. Further research in a larger study is required to confirm these initial results.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Duncan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011