Clustering of chronic diseases risk factors among adolescents: a quasi-experimental study in Sousse, Tunisia

Author(s):  
Emna Dendana ◽  
Rim Ghammem ◽  
Jihene Sahli ◽  
Jihen Maatoug ◽  
Sihem Ben Fredj ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based physical activity and nutritional behavior intervention, on the reduction of clustering of chronic diseases risk factors among school children. Materials and methods A quasi-experimental school-based intervention was conducted with an intervention group and a control group in the region of Sousse in Tunisia. The intervention was implemented between 2010 and 2013, with data collected at pre and at post intervention. Studied risk factors were: smoking, sedentary behavior, low fruit and vegetable intake and obesity. Odds ratios (ORs) were used to calculate the clustering of two risk factors. We calculated ORs in each group before and after the intervention. Results In the intervention group, the prevalence of adolescents that had no risk factors has significantly increased (p = 0.004). In the control group the prevalence of adolescents carrying two or more risk factors has increased (p = 0.06). The results showed that all risk factors tended to cluster together in both groups. In the intervention group, the calculated OR for smoking and sedentary behavior decreased after assessment (OR = 5.93) as well as the OR for smoking and low fruit and vegetable intake (OR = 3.26). In the control group, all ORs increased, showing an enhancement of the association. Conclusion This study showed the effectiveness of a school-based intervention in reducing the clustering of chronic diseases risk factors.

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 2231-2241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke CE Battjes-Fries ◽  
Annemien Haveman-Nies ◽  
Reint-Jan Renes ◽  
Hante J Meester ◽  
Pieter van ’t Veer

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of the Dutch school-based education programme ‘Taste Lessons’ on children’s behavioural determinants towards tasting unfamiliar foods and eating healthy and a variety of foods.DesignIn a quasi-experimental study design, data on behavioural determinants were collected at baseline, four weeks and six months after the intervention in both the intervention and control group. Children completed consecutively three questionnaires in which knowledge, awareness, skills, attitude, emotion, subjective norm and intention towards the two target behaviours were assessed. Teachers implemented on average a third of the programme activities. Multilevel regression analyses were conducted to compare individual changes in the determinants in the intervention group with those in the control group, corrected for children’s gender and age. Effect sizes were expressed as Cohen’s d.SettingDutch elementary schools.SubjectsForty-nine classes (1183 children, 9–12 years old) in grades 5–8 of twenty-one elementary schools.ResultsThe intervention group showed a higher increase in knowledge (d=0·26, P<0·01), which persisted after six months (d=0·23, P<0·05). After four weeks, the intervention group showed a higher increase in number of foods known (d=0·22, P<0·05) and tasted (d=0·21, P<0·05), subjective norm of the teacher (d=0·17, P<0·05) and intention (d=0·16, P<0·05) towards the target behaviours.ConclusionsPartial implementation of Taste Lessons during one school year showed small short-term effects on increasing behavioural determinants in relation to tasting unfamiliar foods and eating healthy and a variety of foods. Full and repeated implementation of Taste Lessons in subsequent years might result in larger effects.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4288
Author(s):  
Daniel Wilson ◽  
Matthew Driller ◽  
Paul Winwood ◽  
Ben Johnston ◽  
Nicholas Gill

The aim of this study was to perform a 12-month follow-up of health parameters after a 17-week lifestyle intervention in overweight airline pilots. A parallel-group (intervention and control) study was conducted amongst 72 overweight airline pilots (body mass index > 25) over a 12-month period following the emergence of COVID-19. The intervention group (n = 35) received a personalized dietary, sleep, and physical activity program over a 17-week period. The control group (n = 37) received no intervention. Measurements for subjective health (physical activity, sleep quality and quantity, fruit and vegetable intake, and self-rated health) via an electronic survey, and objective measures of body mass and blood pressure were taken at baseline and at 12 months. Significant interactions for group × time from baseline to 12-months were found for all outcome measures (p < 0.001). Body mass and mean arterial pressure significantly decreased in the intervention group when compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Outcome measures for subjective health (physical activity, sleep quality and quantity, fruit and vegetable intake, and self-rated health) significantly increased in the intervention group when compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Results provide preliminary evidence that a brief three-component healthy sleep, diet and physical activity intervention can elicit and sustain long-term improvements in body mass and blood pressure management, health behaviors, and perceived subjective health in pilots and may support quality of life during an unprecedented global pandemic.


Author(s):  
Ye ◽  
Pope ◽  
Lee ◽  
Gao

Background: Modern-day technology is appealing to children. Few studies, however, have conducted longitudinal analyses of a school-based exergaming program’s effect on physical activity (PA) behaviors and fitness in children. Therefore, this study examined the longitudinal effect of an 8-month school-based exergaming intervention on children’s objectively-measured PA and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Materials and Methods: Eighty-one fourth grade students (X̅age = 9.23 ± 0.62; 39 girls; 54.3% African American, 30.9% Non-Hispanic White, 14.8% other) participated in this study from 2014–2015. The intervention school’s children participated in a once-weekly 50-minute exergaming intervention during recess throughout the school year, while the control school continued regular recess. Children’s in-school PA and sedentary behavior (SB) were measured with ActiGraphGT3X+ accelerometers, with CRF assessed via the half-mile run. All measurements were taken at baseline, mid-intervention (four months) and post-intervention (eight months). Repeated-measures two-way ANCOVAs using age and race as covariates were conducted to examine between-school differences over time for SB, light PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and CRF. Results: Significant time by group interactions were observed for LPA, F(1, 79) = 7.82, η2 = 0.09, p < 0.01, and MVPA, F(1, 79) = 4.58, η2 = 0.06, p < 0.05, as LPA increased among the control group, while MVPA increased among intervention group. Children in both groups experienced decreased SB during the intervention (intervention: −7.63 minutes; control: −17.59 minutes), but demonstrated lower CRF over time (intervention: +46.73 seconds; control: +61.60 seconds). Conclusions: Observations suggested that school-based exergaming implementation may be effective in increasing children’s MVPA and decreasing their SB over the course an academic year (i.e., ~eight months). More research is needed, however, to discern how modifications to school-based exergaming might also promote improved CRF in children.


2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1151-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asa G Kristjansdottir ◽  
Erlingur Johannsson ◽  
Inga Thorsdottir

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effects of a school-based intervention on the diets of 7–9-year-olds.DesignDietary intake of children in second and fourth grades was assessed with 3d weighed dietary records in autumn 2006 and autumn 2008, before and after a school-based intervention that started in the middle of second grade, and compared with control schools with no intervention. The diet was evaluated by comparison with food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) and reference values for nutrient intake. The intervention aimed at several determinants of intake: knowledge, awareness, preferences/taste, self-efficacy and parental influence. Nutrition education material was developed for the intervention and implemented in collaboration with teachers. The main focus of the intervention was on fruit and vegetable intake as the children’s intake was far from meeting the FBDG on fruit and vegetables at baseline.SettingElementary schools in Reykjavik, Iceland.SubjectsComplete dietary records were available for 106 children both at baseline and follow-up.ResultsTotal fruit and vegetable intake increased by 47 % in the intervention schools (mean: 61·3 (sd126·4) g/d) and decreased by 27 % in the control schools (mean: 46·5 (sd105·3) g/d;P< 0·001). The majority of the children in the intervention schools did still not meet the FBDG on fruits and vegetables at follow-up. Fibre intake increased significantly in the intervention schools, as well as that of potassium, magnesium, β-carotene and vitamin C (borderline).ConclusionsThe school-based intervention in 7–9-year-olds was effective in increasing fruit and vegetable intake, by 47 % increase from baseline, which was mirrored in nutrient intake.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Virgílio Gomes de Barros ◽  
Markus Vinicius Nahas ◽  
Pedro Curi Hallal ◽  
José Cazuza de Farias Júnior ◽  
Alex Antônio Florindo ◽  
...  

Background:We evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based intervention on the promotion of physical activity among high school students in Brazil: the Saude na Boa project.Methods:A school-based, randomized trial was carried out in 2 Brazilian cities: Recife (northeast) and Florianopolis (south). Ten schools in each city were matched by size and location, and randomized into intervention or control groups. The intervention included environmental/organizational changes, physical activity education, and personnel training and engagement. Students age 15 to 24 years were evaluated at baseline and 9 months later (end of school year).Results:Although similar at baseline, after the intervention, the control group reported significantly fewer d/wk accumulating 60 minutes+ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in comparison with the intervention group (2.6 versus 3.3, P < .001). The prevalence of inactivity (0 days per week) rose in the control and decreased in the intervention group. The odds ratio for engaging at least once per week in physical activity associated with the intervention was 1.83 (95% CI = 1.24–2.71) in the unadjusted analysis and 1.88 (95% CI = 1.27–2.79) after controlling for gender.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1296-1296
Author(s):  
Jaimie Davis ◽  
Katie Nikah ◽  
Fiona Asigbee ◽  
Matthew Landry ◽  
Sarvenaz Vandyousefi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To assess the effects of a one-year school-based gardening, nutrition, and cooking cluster randomized controlled trial, called TX Sprouts, on dietary intake, obesity markers, and blood pressure. Methods Sixteen schools were randomly assigned to either the TX Sprouts intervention (n = 8 school) or to delayed intervention (n = 8 schools). The intervention arm received: formation/training of Garden Leadership Committees; a 0.25-acre outdoor teaching garden; 18 student lessons including gardening, nutrition, and cooking activities, taught weekly during school hours; and nine parent lessons. The delayed intervention received the same protocol one year later. Primary child outcomes were measured at baseline and after one school year included: changes in dietary intake (fruit and vegetables servings via screener), height, weight, waist circumference, body composition, and blood pressure. Ten multiple imputations and generalized linear mixed models with schools as the random cluster were used to assess differences in changes in primary outcomes between intervention and control groups. Results Of the 4239 eligible students, 3135 (74%) of students consented and completed baseline clinical measures and child surveys. Participants were 47.4% male and average age was 9.2 years. Approximately 64% were Hispanic, and 69% were economically disadvantaged with attendance to TX Sprouts lessons was 95% of the intervention children. Ninety-one % of children completed both pre and post measures. Intervention group compared to control group resulted in increases, mean change (SE), in vegetable intake [+0.33(0.13) vs. 0.03(0.11) serv/d; P = 0.003]. There was a significant race/ethnicity by sex interaction (P = 0.01) for diastolic blood pressure, with Hispanic males in the intervention group compared to Hispanic males in the control group having reductions in diastolic blood pressure [−2.5(1.0) vs. +0.8(1.10) Hg/mm; P = 0.021). There was no effect of the intervention on any of the obesity parameters. Conclusions The TX Sprouts intervention targets the school nutrition environment, and may provide a sustainable approach to increase vegetable intake and reduce blood pressure in low-income, primarily Hispanic children. Funding Sources NIH/NHLBI (1R01HL123865, 2015-2020), Whole Kids Foundation, Home Depot, Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
pp. 423-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Marks ◽  
Jasmina Sisirak ◽  
Yen-Ching Chang ◽  
Ryan Murphy

The health status and health behaviors among support staff providing daily support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD-SS) in community-based organizations (CBOs) have not been systematically studied. This study examined the health impact of IDD-SS workers who participated in a HealthMatters Program: Train-the-Trainer Certified Instructor Workshop followed by implementing a 12-week HealthMatters Program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) that they care for as part of their employment. A total of 48 IDD-SS were enrolled into either an intervention ( n = 28) or control group ( n = 20). IDD-SS in the intervention group received an 8-hour HealthMatters Program: Train-the-Trainer Workshop immediately prior to teaching a 12-week HealthMatters Program for people with IDD. Assessments were conducted with IDD-SS before and after completing the 12-week HealthMatters Program to evaluate whether IDD-SS experienced any benefit of the training and teaching the program on their own health and health behaviors. Relative to the control group, the IDD-SS in the intervention group showed significant improvements in social/environmental supports for nutrition ( F = 4.92, p = .032), exercise outcome expectations ( F = 6.58, p = .014), nutrition outcome expectations ( F = 8.87, p = .005), fruit and vegetable intake ( F = 13.62, p = .001), knowledge of fruit and vegetable intake recommendations ( F = 11.25, p = .002), and stages of change for eating fruits and vegetables ( F = 6.86, p = .012). Results demonstrated that IDD-SS benefited from the health education programming. Findings support the need to develop programs and organizational policies for health promotion activities for direct care staff.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 067-079
Author(s):  
Rusidah Selamat ◽  
◽  
Junidah Raib ◽  
Nur Azlina Abdul Aziz ◽  
Norlida Zulkafly ◽  
...  

Introduction: Adequate daily intake of fruits and vegetables is crucial for the prevention of chronic diseases. This study aimed to determine the effects of My Body is Fit and Fabulous at School (MyBFF@school) with nutrition education intervention (NEI) on the stages of change for fruit and vegetable intake among overweight and obese secondary school children based on the trans-theoretical model (TTM). Methods: This was a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 15 out of 415 eligible government secondary schools in central Peninsular Malaysia, which were randomly assigned into intervention (six schools; 579 school children) and control (nine schools; 462 school children). The intervention group was given NEI for 24 weeks, while the control group followed the existing school programme by the Ministry of Education. Results: There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups for the stages of change, with majority at the maintenance stage after six months (intervention: 34.9%; control: 39.0%). The within group analysis showed a significant reduction after six months for those at the action stage (action and maintenance stage) from 68.0% to 60.4% in the intervention group and from 71.4% to 65.6% in the control group. However, there was a significant increase among those with adequate fruit and vegetable intake in the intervention group and no significant increase in the control group. Conclusion: MyBFF@school with NEI based on TTM provided acceptable changes in fruit and vegetable intake among overweight and obese secondary school children.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Kubo ◽  
Akihiro Masuyama ◽  
Hiroki Shinkawa ◽  
Daichi Sugawara

An underlying concern about the COVID-19 pandemic is that the mental health of children will decline. The present study aimed to investigate whether a single school-based intervention, including self-monitoring and psychoeducation for COVID-19, effectively achieved its aim to promote children’s mental health. The study was conducted in a junior high school. We assigned the third grade as the intervention group, second grade as the announcement group, and first grade, the control group. We hypothesized that the intervention group would experience improved mental health and reduced fear of COVID-19, when compared to the announcement and control groups. Interaction effects were observed only for depression, indicating a significant intervention effect in the intervention group. These findings suggest that a single school-based intervention that includes self-monitoring and psychoeducation for COVID-19 can help to improve children’s mental health. It is suggested that school-based interventions that intend to raise children's awareness of COVID-19 promote healthy development and adaptation within the school.


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