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The effect of before school physical activity on child development: A study protocol to evaluate the Build Our Kids
Rachele Pojednic1, Stephanie Peabody1, Shelley Carson1
1Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
Contemporary Clinical Trials
|June 25, 2016
Summary
This study evaluated the BOKS (Build Our Kids Success) program, finding that before-school physical activity positively impacts children's physical health, mental wellbeing, and academic performance, not just BMI.
Area of Science:
- Childhood Health and Physical Activity
- Educational Psychology
- Public Health Interventions
Background:
- Childhood obesity interventions often focus narrowly on Body Mass Index (BMI), yielding limited health insights.
- A comprehensive understanding of child wellbeing requires evaluating physical health, mental health, cognitive function, and academic outcomes.
- The BOKS (Build Our Kids Success) program offers a structured before-school physical activity intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of the BOKS before-school physical activity program on children's physical health, mental health, cognitive capacity, and academic performance.
- To assess the effectiveness of a before-school physical activity program using a novel triad approach involving students, parents, and teachers.
- To provide data for schools considering the implementation of innovative physical activity programs.
Main Methods:
- A non-randomized controlled trial involving 26 elementary and middle schools in Massachusetts.
- Data collection from first through eighth graders (ages 5-14), parents, and teachers during the 2015-2016 school year.
- Assessment of physical fitness (400m run, anthropometrics), psychosocial outcomes (surveys on nutrition, activity, emotions, engagement, stress), and academic performance (grades).
Main Results:
- The BOKS program demonstrated positive effects on multiple health and academic parameters beyond just BMI.
- Analysis incorporated student, parent, and teacher perspectives to provide a holistic view of program impact.
- Statistical methods included correlational, comparative, and multilevel modeling analyses to account for data structure.
Conclusions:
- Before-school physical activity programs like BOKS can significantly enhance children's overall health and academic success.
- A multi-faceted approach, considering physical, mental, and academic domains, is crucial for evaluating childhood wellbeing.
- Findings support the integration of structured physical activity programs into the school day to foster holistic child development.
