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School-Based Multicomponent Intervention to Promote Physical Activity and Reduce Sedentary Time of Disadvantaged
Caroline Maite Marie Bernal1, Lena Lhuisset1, Nicolas Fabre1
1Universite de Pau & des Pays de l'Adour, e2s UPPA, MEPS, Tarbes, France.
JMIR Research Protocols
|September 23, 2020
Summary
This study evaluated a school-based program to increase physical activity (PA) and decrease sedentary time (ST) in children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The intervention aimed to improve motor skills, attention, and academic achievement, with results pending analysis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics and Child Health
- Public Health
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Declining physical activity (PA) and increasing sedentary time (ST) are prevalent issues, particularly among children in disadvantaged communities.
- School-based interventions are crucial for promoting healthy lifestyle habits and mitigating risks associated with inactivity in children.
- The positive impact of chronic PA on attentional capacities and academic achievement warrants further investigation in this specific population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive school-based intervention designed to increase PA and reduce ST in 6-10-year-old children from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
- To examine the relationships between PA, ST, motor skills, attentional capacities, and academic achievement within this demographic.
- To provide evidence-based strategies for promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior in school settings.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving two primary schools, with one assigned to the intervention group and the other to the control group.
- A multi-component intervention targeting children, parents, teachers, and the school environment, including curriculum programs, workshops, and environmental adaptations.
- Data collection across five assessment points from November 2016 to June 2019, measuring PA, ST, motor skills, attentional capacities, and academic achievement.
Main Results:
- The school-based intervention and all planned assessments were successfully implemented.
- Data analysis for the primary and secondary objectives of the randomized controlled trial is currently underway.
- Preliminary implementation indicates feasibility for future large-scale studies.
Conclusions:
- The randomized controlled trial provides a robust framework for determining effective strategies to promote physical activity among children with sedentary lifestyles.
- Findings will inform public policy and stakeholder decisions regarding childhood physical inactivity.
- This research addresses a critical gap in understanding the interplay of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cognitive/academic outcomes in disadvantaged children.
