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Effects of a School Based Intervention on Children’s Physical Activity and Healthy Eating: A Mixed-Methods Study

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  • Matluba Khan

    (Institute of Health Equity, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK)

  • Ruth Bell

    (Institute of Health Equity, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK)

Abstract

Combined diet and physical activity school-based interventions (rather than only diet or physical activity interventions) are more likely to help prevent children from becoming overweight in the long term. However, such interventions are less prevalent, and therefore, this pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of a gardening intervention coupled with awareness about plant-based meals among 9−10 year old children in a London primary school. We recruited 60 children from two Year 5 classes, one class participated as an intervention group, and results were compared against another class who acted as the control group. Children’s physical activity (PA) was measured using GENEActiv wrist-worn accelerometers. Their fruit and vegetable intake and attitudes to and preferences in eating fruits and vegetables were measured using a self-report questionnaire. Furthermore, three focus groups were held with children in the intervention group to understand the reasons behind any change as a result of the intervention. Results are inconclusive; however, they indicate some impact on reduction of sedentary behaviour, increase of moderate to vigorous PA, knowledge of nutrition and some level of acceptance in trying new vegetables. School-based interventions involving gardening show some promise to increase children’s PA and improve their attitudes to eating fruits and vegetables.

Suggested Citation

  • Matluba Khan & Ruth Bell, 2019. "Effects of a School Based Intervention on Children’s Physical Activity and Healthy Eating: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-22, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:22:p:4320-:d:284162
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wendy Lippevelde & Maïté Verloigne & Ilse Bourdeaudhuij & Johannes Brug & Mona Bjelland & Nanna Lien & Lea Maes, 2012. "Does parental involvement make a difference in school-based nutrition and physical activity interventions? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(4), pages 673-678, August.
    2. Nina Van der Vliet & Brigit Staatsen & Hanneke Kruize & George Morris & Caroline Costongs & Ruth Bell & Sibila Marques & Timothy Taylor & Sonia Quiroga & Pablo Martinez Juarez & Vojtech Máca & Milan Š, 2018. "The INHERIT Model: A Tool to Jointly Improve Health, Environmental Sustainability and Health Equity through Behavior and Lifestyle Change," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-21, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yufei Qi & Siyu Rong & Kunlong Liao & Jiaqi Huo & Qian Lin & Sareena Hanim Hamzah, 2022. "School Gardening, Cooking and Sports Participation Intervention to Improve Fruits and Vegetables Intake and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity among Chinese Children: Study Protocol for a Cluster ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, October.

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