Impact of a primary school-based nutrition and physical activity intervention on learners in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A pilot study

The introduction of Curriculum 21 in South Africa in 1998 has brought with it added responsibilities for parents. According to the South African Schools' Act, No.84 (1996), parents have been granted powers to "support teachers in the performance of their task "and "determine subject choices" for their children. However, when Curriculum 21 was introduced in 1998, relevant programmes for introducing parents to these ideas dia not exist. According to Schlebusch and Spady (1999) family, home, identity and respect are important features of Curriculum 21 and only parents can create the best conditions for the academic development of their children. Therefore, the involvement of parents in the education of their children is vital. This dissertation is a case study of a rural KwaZulu- Natal public school, Hopewell Primary School, in which a pilot study of a programme to introduce parents to their responsibilities in the implementation of Curriculum 21, was first introduced.

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Impact of a one-year school-based teacher-implemented nutrition and physical activity intervention: main findings and future recommendations

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-8351-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carla Habib-Mourad ◽

Lilian A. Ghandour ◽

Carla Maliha ◽

Nancy Awada ◽

Michèle Dagher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

School Based ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽

One Year

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A Pilot Study of Self-Management-based Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention in Cancer Survivors

Nutrition and Cancer ◽

10.1080/01635581.2016.1170169 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 68 (5) ◽

pp. 762-771 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michelle Miller ◽

Stephanie Zrim ◽

Sharon Lawn ◽

Richard Woodman ◽

Stephanie Leggett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Self Management ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity

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Moderators of School-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Cardiorespiratory Endurance in Primary School-Aged Children: A Meta-Regression

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15081764 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (8) ◽

pp. 1764 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ryan D. Burns ◽

Timothy A. Brusseau ◽

You Fu

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary School ◽

Random Effects ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Physical Activity Interventions ◽

School Based ◽

Study Heterogeneity ◽

Meta Regression ◽

Cardiorespiratory Endurance

The purpose of this study was to examine potential moderators of school-based physical activity interventions on cardiorespiratory endurance in primary school-aged children using meta-regression. An Internet search with several databases was employed, extracting school-based pediatric physical activity intervention studies published within the past 30 years. Studies were included if there was a control or comparison group, if the study sample included primary school-aged children, if the targeted outcome of cardiorespiratory endurance was objectively assessed, if the intervention was at least partially school-based, and if the effect estimate’s variability was reported. An inverse-variance random effects meta-regression was employed using the primary predictors of component number (single component or multi-component) and intervention length using 20 extracted studies with 23 total effects. The overall pooled effect on cardiorespiratory endurance was statistically significant (Hedges’ g = 0.30, 95% C.I.: 0.19–0.40; p < 0.001). Using random effects meta-regression, neither component number (b = –0.09, 95% C.I.: –0.40–0.23; p = 0.560) or intervention length (b = 0.001, 95% C.I.: –0.002–0.004; p = 0.427) yielded a significant modifying effect on cardiorespiratory endurance. School-based physical activity interventions have a significant pooled effect on cardiorespiratory endurance in primary school-aged children. Component number and intervention length does not modify this effect, suggesting other sources for between-study heterogeneity.

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Sensory Profile of Adults with Reduced Food Intake and the Potential Roles of Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions

Advances in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/advances/nmz044 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1120-1125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marie-Eve Mathieu ◽

Ryan E R Reid ◽

Neil A King

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Food Intake ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Sensory Profile ◽

Sensory Response ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Physical Activity Interventions ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽

Sensory Training

ABSTRACT The sensory profile, referring to sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch, plays an essential role in optimizing the habitual intake of energy and macronutrients. However, specific populations, such as older adults, are known to have impaired energy intake. In this paper, the relevance of sensory impairments in this older population is described, and the extent to which nutritional and physical activity interventions can modulate these sensory responses when food intake is insufficient is explored. With aging, all senses deteriorate, and in most cases, such deteriorations diminish the nutritional response. The only exception is sight, for which both positive and negative impacts on nutritional response have been reported. From a prevention perspective, nutritional interventions have been understudied, and to date, only hearing is known to be positively affected by a good nutritional profile. In comparison, physical activity has been more frequently studied in this context, and is linked to an improved preservation of 4 senses. Regarding treatment, very few studies have directly targeted sensory training, and the focus of research has tended to be on nutrition and physical activity intervention. Sensory training, and nutritional and physical activity treatments all have beneficial effects on the senses. In the future, researchers should focus on exploring gaps in the literature specifically concerning prevention, treatment, and sensory response to understand how to improve the efficacy of current approaches. In order to maintain sensory acuity and recover from sensory impairment, the current state of knowledge supports the importance of improving nutritional habits as well as physical activity early on in life. A combined approach, linking a detailed lifestyle profile with the assessment of numerous senses and one or more interventional approaches (nutrition, physical activity, sensory training, etc.), would be required to identify effective strategies to improve the nutritional state of older individuals.

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Acceptability, Feasibility and Preliminary Evaluation of a Novel, Personalised, Home-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Chronic Heart Failure (Active-at-Home-HF): a Pilot Study

Sports Medicine - Open ◽

10.1186/s40798-019-0216-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nduka C. Okwose ◽

Leah Avery ◽

Nicola O’Brien ◽

Sophie Cassidy ◽

Sarah J. Charman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Heart Failure ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Chronic Heart Failure ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Step Count ◽

Home Based ◽

At Home

Abstract Purpose Less than 10% of heart failure patients in the UK participate in cardiac rehabilitation programmes. The present pilot study evaluated feasibility, acceptability and physiological effects of a novel, personalised, home-based physical activity intervention in chronic heart failure. Methods Twenty patients (68 ± 7 years old, 20% females) with stable chronic heart failure due to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (31 ± 8 %) participated in a single-group, pilot study assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week personalised home-based physical activity intervention aiming to increase daily number of steps by 2000 from baseline (Active-at-Home-HF). Patients completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with non-invasive gas exchange and haemodynamic measurements and quality of life questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Patients were supported weekly via telephone and average weekly step count data collected using pedometers. Results Forty-three patients were screened and 20 recruited into the study. Seventeen patients (85%) completed the intervention, and 15 (75%) achieved the target step count. Average step count per day increased significantly from baseline to 3 weeks by 2546 (5108 ± 3064 to 7654 ± 3849, P = 0.03, n = 17) and was maintained until week 12 (9022 ± 3942). Following completion of the intervention, no adverse events were recorded and quality of life improved by 4 points (26 ± 18 vs. 22 ± 19). Peak exercise stroke volume increased by 19% (127 ± 34 vs. 151 ± 34 m/beat, P = 0.05), while cardiac index increased by 12% (6.8 ± 1.5 vs. 7.6 ± 2.0 L/min/m2, P = 0.19). Workload and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold also increased by 16% (49 ± 16 vs. 59 ± 14 watts, P = 0.01) and 10% (11.5 ± 2.9 vs. 12.8 ± 2.2 ml/kg/min, P = 0.39). Conclusion The Active-at-Home-HF intervention is feasible, acceptable and effective for increasing physical activity in CHF. It may lead to improvements in quality of life, exercise tolerance and haemodynamic function. Trial Registration www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT0367727. Retrospectively registered on 17 September 2018.

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Attaining the Active School Flag: How physical activity provision can be enhanced in Irish primary schools

European Physical Education Review ◽

10.1177/1356336x17706091 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 76-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Richard Bowles ◽

Déirdre Ní Chróinín ◽

Elaine Murtagh

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary School ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Positive Health ◽

Policy Makers ◽

School Communities ◽

Physical Activity Interventions ◽

School Based ◽

School Initiatives

The provision of regular physical activity opportunities has the potential to have positive health benefits for children. This study used qualitative interviews and focus groups to examine the experiences of two Irish primary school communities as they worked to attain an Active School Flag. The data suggest that engagement in this formal physical activity initiative impacts positively on children’s engagement in physical activity. Schools were encouraged to embark on innovative activities that attracted widespread participation within schools and in the wider community. The establishment of links with community groups fostered collaborations that were empowering and inclusive. This research supports the contention that primary school initiatives can provide enhanced physical activity opportunities for children, and may provide guidance to national and international policy-makers as they devise school-based physical activity interventions.

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