scholarly journals A pilot study of the effect of providing daily free fruit to primary-school children in Auckland, New Zealand

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 693-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline AL Ashfield-Watt ◽  
Elizabeth A Stewart ◽  
Judi A Scheffer
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Fruit Intake ◽  
Post Intervention

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the uptake of a free fruit provision to low-decile primary-school children by quantitatively assessing changes in fruit intake.DesignA randomised controlled trial using a paired, cluster randomisation.SettingTwenty low-decile primary schools (schools attended by the most deprived children) in Auckland, New Zealand.SubjectsIn total 2032 children, aged 7–11 years, provided data on at least one occasion.InterventionTen pairs of low-decile primary schools matched by roll size and location were randomly allocated to control (no free fruit) or intervention (free fruit) for a school term. Dietary assessments using the 24 h recall methodology were made at baseline, on the last week of the intervention and 6 weeks post-intervention.ResultsFruit intakes in this cohort were lower than the national average with over 40 % reporting no fruit intake at baseline and did not differ between groups. After the free fruit period the intervention group increased school fruit intakes by 0·39 pieces/school d from baseline (P≤ 0·001) and the proportion of children consuming no fruit reduced to 22 %. This increase, however, was not sustained and fruit intakes fell below baseline levels at 6 weeks post-intervention. Control subjects did not significantly alter their fruit intakes throughout the study.ConclusionsImproving exposure and accessibility to fruits at school increases fruit intakes of low socio-economic group children, particularly those who do not normally eat fruit. The present pilot study demonstrates some possible negative effects of short-term free fruit interventions, but is informative for developing and evaluating sustained fruit intervention programmes.

Bizzy Break! The Effect of a Classroom-Based Activity Break on In-School Physical Activity Levels of Primary School Children

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 300-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Murtagh ◽  
Maureen Mulvihill ◽  
Oonagh Markey
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Significant Difference

The school has been identified as a key setting to promote physical activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a classroom-based activity break on in-school step counts of primary school children. Data for 90 children (49 boys, 41 girls, 9.3 ± 1.4 years) from three Irish primary schools is presented. In each school one class was randomly assigned as the intervention group and another as controls. Children’s step counts were measured for five consecutive days during school hours at baseline and follow-up. Teachers of the intervention classes led a 10 min activity break in the classroom each day (Bizzy Break!). Mean daily in-school steps for the intervention at baseline and follow-up were 5351 and 5054. Corresponding values for the control group were 5469 and 4246. There was a significant difference in the change in daily steps from baseline to follow-up between groups (p < .05). There was no evidence that girls and boys responded differently to the intervention (p > .05). Children participating in a daily 10 min classroom-based activity break undertake more physical activity during school hours than controls.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF PEER EDUCATION MODEL ON KNOWLEDGE AND SELF-EFFICACY OF CHILDREN IN THE PREVENTION OF PHYSICAL SEXUAL VIOLENCE

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rufaida Nur Fitriana ◽  
Chriswardani Suryawati ◽  
Zubaidah Zubaidah
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
School Children ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Peer Education ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: The rate of incidence of physical assault on school children increases from year to year. Efforts to prevent child sexual violence can be done through school-based education with student empowerment.Objective: To identify the effect of education by peers on the knowledge and self-efficacy of primary school children in preventing sexual violence in Grabag Sub-district, Magelang regency.Methods: This study was a quasi experimental study with pretest and posttest non-equivalent control groups. A total of 84 school-aged children were purposively recruited from two different primary schools. Each group consisted of 42 respondents. Children's Knowledge of Abuse Questionnaire-Revised III (CKAQ-RIII) instrument was used to measure knowledge and self-efficacy questionnaire was measured for self-efficacy. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon and Chi-square testResults: The study showed that a statistically significant difference both in the variables of knowledge (P=0.008) and self-efficacy (p=0.000) in the intervention group after given peer education treatment.Conclusion: Educational interventions by peers can improve the knowledge and self-efficacy of primary school-aged children in preventing sexual violence. Peer education can be used as an effort to prevent sexual violence in children through school empowerment programs. 

Active Classrooms: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effects of a Movement Integration Intervention on the Physical Activity Levels of Primary School Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 290-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemarie Martin ◽  
Elaine Murtagh
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Background:A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the Active Classrooms intervention, which integrates movement into academic lessons, on the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels (MVPA) of primary school children during class-time and throughout the school day.Methods:Ten classroom teachers and their students aged 8 to 12 years were recruited and randomized into the Active Classrooms intervention group (n = 131students, n = 5teachers) or a delayed-treatment controlled group (n = 117students, n = 5teachers). The intervention group participated in active academic lessons taught by the classroom teacher over an 8 week period. Accelerometers were used to gather physical activity data at baseline, postintervention and at 4 months follow-up. Teachers completed a questionnaire to evaluate the program.Results:A significant difference for change in daily class time MVPA levels was identified between the treatment (n = 95) and control (n = 91) groups from pre- to postintervention (P < .001) and this difference was maintained at follow-up (P < .001). No significant difference emerged between the treatment and control groups for change in school day MVPA levels from pre- to postintervention (P = .52) or follow-up (P = .09). Teachers reported that they were highly satisfied with the program.Conclusions:Movement integration has the potential to improve physical activity levels of primary school children in the classroom.

scholarly journals A Novel Monitoring System (AUT FIT) for Anthropometrics and Physical Fitness in Primary School Children in Austria: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Gerald Jarnig ◽  
Johannes Jaunig ◽  
Reinhold Kerbl ◽  
Rodrigo Antunes Lima ◽  
Mireille N. M. van Poppel
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Motor Fitness ◽  
Fitness Tests

Monitoring of anthropometric and physical fitness parameters in primary school children is important for the prevention of future health problems. Many of the existing test batteries that are useful for monitoring require expensive test materials, specialized test administrators, and a lot of space. This limits the usefulness of such tests for widespread use. The aim of this pilot study was to design and evaluate monitoring tools for anthropometrics and physical fitness tests in primary schools, called AUT FIT. The test battery consists of height, weight, and waist circumference measurement and eight fitness tests (6 min run, V sit-and-reach, jumping sideways, standing long jump, medicine ball throw, 4 × 10 m shuttle run, ruler drop, single leg stand). Data of 821 children aged 7 to 10 years were gathered. Most AUT FIT tests showed excellent test–retest and interrater reliability and were easy to implement. Criterion-related validity was evident by a strong correlation between physical education teacher rankings and rank scores for motor fitness. Nationwide implementation in the Austrian school system could be an important component for monitoring and improving the health and fitness of primary school children.

scholarly journals Impacts of a School-Based Intervention That Incorporates Nutrition Education and a Supportive Healthy School Canteen Environment among Primary School Children in Malaysia

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1712
Author(s):  
Choon Huey Teo ◽  
Yit Siew Chin ◽  
Poh Ying Lim ◽  
Shahril Azian Haji Masrom ◽  
Zalilah Mohd Shariff
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
School Children ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
School Canteen

In this study, a school nutrition program (SNP) that incorporates nutrition education and a healthy school canteen environment was developed to improve nutrition knowledge among intervention respondents and provide a healthier environment for them to practice healthy eating. In the current study, we evaluated the impacts of the SNP on eating behaviors, physical activity, body mass index-for-age (BAZ), and cognitive performance at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up points between intervention and comparison groups. This intervention study involved 523 primary school children (7–11 years old) from six selected schools in Batu Pahat District, Malaysia. Each respondent completed anthropometric and cognitive performance assessments and a set of standardized questionnaire at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up points. Multiple linear mixed model analysis was performed to determine the impacts of that SNP after being adjusted for covariates. After the program, the intervention group increased their frequency of breakfast, lunch, and dinner consumption and morning tea snacking and showed more frequent physical activity and better cognitive performance as compared to the comparison group overtime (p < 0.05). At 3-month follow-up, the intervention group showed lower BAZ scores than their comparison counterparts (p < 0.05). The SNP showed positive effects on eating behaviors, physical activity, BAZ, and cognitive performance in school children. Hence, the SNP is highly recommended for all primary school children.

scholarly journals Hand hygiene intervention to optimise soil-transmitted helminth infection control among primary school children: the Mikono Safi cluster randomised controlled trial in northwestern Tanzania

BMC Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Makata ◽  
Jeroen Ensink ◽  
Philip Ayieko ◽  
Christian Hansen ◽  
Simon Sichalwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Cluster Randomised ◽  
Northwestern Tanzania ◽  
Line Survey ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are highly prevalent in resource-limited countries. We assessed the effect of a combination intervention aiming to enhance handwashing with soap on STH reinfection following mass drug administration among primary school children in Kagera region, Northwestern Tanzania. Methods We conducted a cluster randomised trial in sixteen primary schools with known high STH prevalence. Schools were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either receive the intervention or continue with routine health education. The intervention included teacher-led classroom teaching, parental engagement sessions, environmental modifications and improved handwashing stations. The evaluation involved two cross-sectional surveys in a representative sample of students, with the end-line survey conducted 12 months after the baseline survey. The primary outcome was the combined prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections at the end-line survey. Secondary outcomes included reported handwashing behaviour, the prevalence and intensity of individual STHs, and hand contamination with STH ova and coliform bacteria. End-line STH prevalence and intensity were adjusted for baseline differences of potential confounders. Results At the end-line survey, 3081 school children (1566 from intervention schools and 1515 from control schools) provided interview data and stool specimens. More school children in the intervention group reported the use of water and soap during handwashing compared to school children in the control group (58% vs. 35%; aOR=1.76, 95%CI 1.28–2.43, p=0.001). The combined prevalence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections was 39% in both trial arms (aOR = 1.19; 95%CI 0.74–1.91). The prevalence of A. lumbricoides was 15% in the intervention and 17% in the control arm (aOR =1.24, 95%CI 0.59–2.59) and that of T. trichiura was 31% in both arms (aOR=1.17, 95%CI 0.73–1.88). No significant differences were found for STH infection intensity in both the main study and the hand contamination sub-study. Conclusions The intervention was effective in increasing reported handwashing behaviour at school, but failed to show a similar effect in the home. The intervention had no effect on STH infection, possibly due to infection in the home environment, other transmission routes such as contaminated water or food or limited changes in school children’s handwashing behaviour. Trial registration The trial was registered on June 21, 2017, by the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN45013173).

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