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Classroom Active Breaks to Increase Children’s Physical Activity: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Province of Naples, Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Gallè

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Pierluigi Pecoraro

    (Food and Nutrition Hygiene Service, Local Health Authority Napoli 3 Sud, Via Montedoro 47–Torre del Greco, 80059 Naples, Italy)

  • Patrizia Calella

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Cerullo

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Maria Imoletti

    (Food and Nutrition Hygiene Service, Local Health Authority Napoli 3 Sud, Via Montedoro 47–Torre del Greco, 80059 Naples, Italy)

  • Teresa Mastantuono

    (Food and Nutrition Hygiene Service, Local Health Authority Napoli 3 Sud, Via Montedoro 47–Torre del Greco, 80059 Naples, Italy)

  • Espedita Muscariello

    (Food and Nutrition Hygiene Service, Local Health Authority Napoli 3 Sud, Via Montedoro 47–Torre del Greco, 80059 Naples, Italy)

  • Roberta Ricchiuti

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy
    Food and Nutrition Hygiene Service, Local Health Authority Napoli 3 Sud, Via Montedoro 47–Torre del Greco, 80059 Naples, Italy)

  • Serena Sensi

    (Food and Nutrition Hygiene Service, Local Health Authority Napoli 3 Sud, Via Montedoro 47–Torre del Greco, 80059 Naples, Italy)

  • Carmelina Sorrentino

    (Food and Nutrition Hygiene Service, Local Health Authority Napoli 3 Sud, Via Montedoro 47–Torre del Greco, 80059 Naples, Italy)

  • Giorgio Liguori

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Giuliana Valerio

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

Background: Classroom Active Breaks (CABs), short active sessions integrated in the school time, have been recognized as a promising tool to reduce sedentary behavior and increase Physical Activity (PA) levels in children. “AulAttiva” is a six-month CABs-based program implemented in primary schools of the province of Naples. The aim of this study was to evaluate its effectiveness by comparing PA and sedentary time of participating pupils respect to a control group, considering also their weight status. Methods: Four third-grade classes, each from 4 schools out of 32 participating in AulAttiva, and 4 third-grade classes, each from 4 schools out of 74 that did not take part, were randomly selected. Finally, 58 children composed the intervention group and 57 the control group. Age, gender, weight and height were registered for each participant. Weight status was classified as non-overweight and overweight/obesity. Sedentary time and PA were assessed through accelerometers along a school day. Results: Light PA was 4 min higher in the AulAttiva group with respect to controls (p = 0.046). Within the non-overweight children, the AulAttiva group spent less time in sedentary behavior and more time in light and total PA than controls. No significant differences were found between the overweight/obese subgroups. Conclusions: The results support the effectiveness of CABs in increasing PA during the school day. Greater effects were registered among normal weight pupils, suggesting the possible influence of weight status on children’s participation to the intervention. Further studies are needed to improve the compliance of overweight/obese children to this intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Gallè & Pierluigi Pecoraro & Patrizia Calella & Giuseppe Cerullo & Maria Imoletti & Teresa Mastantuono & Espedita Muscariello & Roberta Ricchiuti & Serena Sensi & Carmelina Sorrentino & Gior, 2020. "Classroom Active Breaks to Increase Children’s Physical Activity: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Province of Naples, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6599-:d:411780
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alice Masini & Sofia Marini & Erica Leoni & Giovanni Lorusso & Stefania Toselli & Alessia Tessari & Andrea Ceciliani & Laura Dallolio, 2020. "Active Breaks: A Pilot and Feasibility Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Physical Activity Levels in a School Based Intervention in an Italian Primary School," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jani Hartikainen & Eero A. Haapala & Arja Sääkslahti & Anna-Maija Poikkeus & Taija Finni, 2022. "Sedentary Patterns and Sit-to-Stand Transitions in Open Learning Spaces and Conventional Classrooms among Primary School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, July.

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