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Published on: March 7, 2019
Effectiveness of a school-based randomized controlled trial aimed at increasing physical activity time in adolescents
Lidiane da C Morais1, Vitor Barreto Paravidino1,2, Mauro F F Mediano3
1Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Background:
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of obesity prevention educational activities, isolated or combined with the modification of the school environment on total physical activity time.
Methods:
This is a school-based randomized controlled trial, conducted with 2511 students from fifth and sixth-grade in Brazil, that employed a parallel, three-group experimental arms: control group (CG), PAAPPAS group (PG) and PAAPPAS-environment group (PEG). During the 2016 school year, the PG received educational activities in the classroom, providing a general basis for a healthy lifestyle. The PEG received the same educational activities and also modifications in the school environment to stimulate physical activity practice during one month. Physical activity was evaluated through a validated physical activity questionnaire. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed to evaluate the rate of change of physical activity time between groups using PROC GENMOD procedure. All analyses were performed using SAS.
Results:
Total physical activity time increased by 22% in PEG compared with CG (P = 0.003). No difference was observed between PEG and PG (Δ = 60.20 vs. 36.37, respectively; P = 0.27) and between PG and CG (Δ = 36.37 vs. 9.70, respectively; P = 0.23). The proportion of individuals who attended at least 150 min week-1 of physical activity increased in PEG compared with PG (P = 0.04); however, no difference was observed between PEG and CG (P = 0.19) and between PG and CG (P = 0.26). For 300 min week-1, no difference was observed between groups.
Conclusion:
A school-based multi-component intervention including modification of the school environment was effective for increasing physical activity time among adolescents.
