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Preliminary Assessment of a School‐Based Healthy Lifestyle Intervention Among Rural Elementary School Children
Author(s) -
Ling Jiying,
King Kristi M.,
Speck Barbara J.,
Kim Seongho,
Wu Dongfeng
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/josh.12143
Subject(s) - pedometer , childhood obesity , medicine , intervention (counseling) , obesity , psychological intervention , gerontology , public health , screen time , physical activity , environmental health , physical therapy , overweight , nursing
BACKGROUND Childhood obesity has become a national public health crisis in America. Physical inactivity and unhealthy eating behaviors may contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic. School‐based healthy lifestyle interventions play a promising role in preventing and controlling childhood obesity. A comprehensive school‐based healthy lifestyle intervention was implemented in 4 rural elementary schools in Kentucky. METHODS The intervention included 4 goals: improving physical education, health education, family/community involvement, and school wellness policies. Children's physical activity was assessed by pedometer, and nutrition was assessed by a previous day recall survey in January (baseline), February (t1), March (t2), April (t3), and May (t4) of 2011. RESULTS The intervention had significant effects on increasing the percentages of children meeting physical activity (1% vs 5%, p < .01) and nutrition (15% vs 26%, p < .01) recommendations. The effects of the intervention on physical activity and nutrition depended on school, grade, and age of the children. There was an increasing linear trend of physical activity and an increasing quadratic trend of nutrition over time among children. CONCLUSIONS The intervention had beneficial effects in improving healthy behaviors among children. Further studies are needed to assess its long‐term effects and cost‐effectiveness.