scholarly journals Effect of Healthy Lifestyle Interventions in Schools of Jazan City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Quasi-experimental Study

Author(s):  
Fatima Awad Elkarim Elfaki ◽  
Husam Eldin Elsawi Khalafalla ◽  
Abdelrahim Mutwakel Gaffar ◽  
Mohamed E Moukhyer ◽  
Ibrahim A Bani ◽  
...  

Background Unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyle among adolescents is considered as a risk factor for nutrition-related diseases in adulthood. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle intervention—including physical activity (PA) and eating habits (EH)—among female students in Jizan City, southwest Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods A representative sample of 565 school students aged 12–15 years was randomly selected from four schools in Jizan, KSA. The PA and EH were assessed using a validated self-administered questionnaire. A pre-post quasi-experimental study was implemented in three phases. Results Following the intervention, the school children in the intervention groups showed a significant improvement in their EH and PA. These improvements were documented in increased physical walking measured by the number of students walking daily, the number of days walked, and the time spent on vigorous activities (54.11 ± 54.89 to 63.24 ± 76.16). Fruits and vegetables had a similar consumption frequency in both the intervention and control groups. The snacks were frequently consumed among intervention group with a significant increase in the mean number from 1.64 ± 0.93 to 1.96 ± 1.13 (p = 0.000) and fast food were less frequently consumed among intervention group than the control group (p = 0.000). The prevalence of obesity in the intervention group was reduced from 16.3% to 12.9%, while it was significantly increased from 17.6% to 19.0% in the control group (p = 0.0148). Weight decreased by 0.37 kg in the intervention group, while it increased by 0.07 kg in the control group, but with no statistically significant increase. Conclusion: In conclusion, healthy lifestyle interventions can improve short- and long-term outcomes in school children. When examining the health benefits of healthy lifestyle, the importance of dietary and PA behaviors should be considered. Keywords:  lifestyle, dietary habits, physical activity, chronic diseases, Jazan-KSA  

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalil Mahmoudi ◽  
Ali Taghipoor ◽  
Hadi Tehrani ◽  
Hadi Zomorodi Niat ◽  
Mohammad Vahedian-Shahroodi

Objective. This work sought to determine the effect of an educational intervention based on the stages of change in promoting physical activity in employees in the Mashhad airport in Iran. Methods. This was a quasi-experimental study conducted with the participation of 60 volunteers (30 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group) who were in the stages of contemplating or preparing for change in physical activity. The intervention consisted in educational activities provided during home visits, telephone calls, group training sessions, and delivery of printed material. To gather the information, the study used five questions on the stage in which they were for behavioral change in physical activity, according to the Theoretical Model by Marcus et al., (1. pre-contemplation, 2. contemplation, 3. preparation, 4. action, and 5. maintenance), and the International Questionnaire on Physical Activity. Changes in the stages were evaluated during three moments: upon entering the study, at the end of the intervention (8th month), and two months after the second evaluation (10th month). Results. During the 10th month evaluation, it was noted that 26.7% of the subjects from the intervention group versus 3.3% from the control group improved their physical activity and were in the action stage (p<0.01). Conclusion. Theeducational intervention based on stages of change is effective in promoting physical activity in the participants and may be used in educational programs that seek to improve physical activity in the employees studied.How to cite this article: Mahmoudi K, Taghipoor A, Tehrani H, Zomorodi Niat H, Vahedian-Shahroodi M. Stages of Behavior Change for Physical Activity in Airport Staff: a quasi-experimental study. Invest. Educ. Enferm. 2020; 38(1):e02


Author(s):  
Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Carlos Cristi-Montero ◽  
José Castro-Piñero

Background. Recess is a great opportunity to interrupt sedentary behaviour and increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in schoolchildren. This quasi-experimental study aimed to compare the levels of physical activity (PA) during the school day of children in a school intervention programme vs. those in a control group, and to determine compliance with MVPA recommendations. Methods. A sample of 154 schoolchildren (6–12 years old) was obtained from several schools (70 with the intervention and 84 controls). This programme was structured with a duration of 90 min/session and performed three times/week. PA levels were recorded with triaxial accelerometers during the school day: during recess, during a PA session or physical education session (PE), and during lunchtime. No pre-intervention evaluation was performed. Results. The MVPA of the control group was higher than that of the intervention group during the first recess (p < 0.001). None of the groups complied with the recommendations for steps during the PA or PE sessions. During the PA session, sedentary time was lower and MVPA was higher, in the intervention group than in the control group. Fifty percent of the children from the intervention group complied with the MVPA recommendations, vs. 22.7% of those in the control group. Conclusions. The schoolchildren in the intervention group performed more MVPA than those in the control group. Future interventions could include other periods, such as recess and lunchtime, which are opportunities for improving the MVPA levels of schoolchildren.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2102
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Elżbieta Zujko ◽  
Marta Rożniata ◽  
Kinga Zujko

Modification of lifestyle, including healthy nutrition, is the primary approach for metabolic syndrome (MetS) therapy. The aim of this study was to estimate how individual nutrition intervention affects the reduction of MetS components. Subjects diagnosed with MetS were recruited in the Lomza Medical Centre. The study group consisted of 90 participants and was divided into one intervention group (individual nutrition education group (INEG)) and one control group (CG). The research was conducted over 3 months. The following measurements were obtained during the first visit and after completion of the 3 months intervention: body mass, waist circumference, body composition, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and blood lipids. Dietary assessments were performed before and post-intervention using 3-day 24-h dietary recalls. Dietary knowledge was evaluated with the KomPAN questionnaire. The total polyphenol content of the diet was calculated. Sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected from a self-reported questionnaire. The physical activity was assessed by the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). It was found that the individual nutrition education was an effective method to improve the knowledge, dietary habits, and physical activity of the study participants. The modification of the diet in terms of higher intake of polyphenols (flavonoids and anthocyanins), fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), PUFA n-3, and lower intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) had a significant impact on the improvement of some MetS risk factors (waist circumference, fasting glucose, and HDL-cholesterol).


Author(s):  
Lorna Kwai Ping Suen ◽  
Janet Pui Lee Cheung

Early childhood is a formative period during which healthy habits are developed, including proper hand hygiene practices. The aim of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of a 4-week series of educational sessions that consider the cognitive developmental stage of children on increasing their knowledge and promoting hand hygiene practices. The intervention group (n = 33) observed the hand hygiene program, whereas another group served as the waitlist control (n = 20). Creative activities were planned for the illustration of hand hygiene concepts in terms of “right moments”, “right steps”, and “right duration”. Hand sanitizer coverage was evaluated using a hand scanner. After the intervention, the experimental group had higher knowledge level toward hand hygiene than the control group (p < 0.001). Significant improvements in hand hygiene performance at the left palm and dorsum (p < 0.05), right palm (p < 0.05), and overall hand coverage (p < 0.05) were observed in the experimental group. The study demonstrated that the knowledge and proper hand hygiene (HH) practice of children can be positively influenced by the use of an age-appropriate education program. The results of this study have implications for school health educators and parents for promoting HH practices among children at home and at the school level.


2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hartono Gunadi ◽  
Rini Sekartini ◽  
Retno Asti Werdhani ◽  
Ardi Findyartini ◽  
Muhammad Arvianda Kevin Kurnia

Background Immunization is recognized as one of the strategiesto reduce vaccine preventable diseases. Competency related toimmunization are consequently important for medical students andthe medical school needs to assure the competence acquisition.Objective To assess competence related to immunization andits retention following lectures with simulations compared tolectures only.Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted to the 5th yearstudents of University of Indonesia Medical School during the ChildAdolescent Health Module in 2012-2013. The intervention grouphad lectures with simulations and the control group had lecturesonly. Immunization knowledge was assessed with a 30 multiplechoice question (MCA) items performed before and after themodule. Competence retention was assessed by MCQ (knowledge)and OSCE (skills) 2-6 months afterwards.Results Sixty eight subjects for each group with similarcharacteristics were analyzed. There was significant differenceafter module MCQ score between two groups. Competenceretention in 2-6 months after module completion was betterin intervention group, both for the knowledge (median MCQscore of 70.00 (range 37-93) vs. mean score of 58.01 (SD 12.22),respectively; P<0.001) and skill (OSCE mean scores of 75.21 (SD10.74) vs. 62.62 (SD 11.89), respectively; P < 0.001). Proportionof subjects in the intervention group who passed both the MCQand OSCE were also significantly greater.Conclusion Lectures with simulations are proved to bemore effective in improving medical students’ immunizationcompetence as well as its retention compared to lectures onlyapproach.


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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeideh Shahsavari ◽  
Sakineh dadipoor ◽  
Mohtasham Ghaffari ◽  
Ali Safari-Moradabadi

Abstract Background: The aim of the present study was to assess readiness to become or stay physically active according to the Stages of Change Model.Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 women working in the healthcare centres of Bandar Abbas, Iran. The sampling method is clustering in type. The subjects were assigned into two groups of intervention and control. The collected data were analysed by SPSS-16 software using descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent-sample t-test, paired-sample t-test and Chi-square test.Results: Before the educational intervention, 19 subjects (0.38%) from the intervention group showed to have regular physical activity (4-5 stages). This number changed to 29 (0.58%) and 25 (0.50%) after three months and six months of intervention. A statistically significant difference was found before the intervention and 3 and 6 months afterwards (P˂.001). In the control group, no statistically significant difference was found between the pre-intervention and post-intervention (three months (P=.351) and six months (P=.687).Conclusion: The educational intervention based on the stages of behaviour change model showed to be effective in promoting the physical activity of employed women. These findings may benefit health education researchers and practitioners who tend to develop innovative theory-based interventions and strategies to increase the level of physical activity in women.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Vunni Draiko ◽  
Khemika Yamarat ◽  
Alessio Panza ◽  
Judith Draleru ◽  
Martin Taban ◽  
...  

This study aimed to examine the effects of the Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) training interventions program on the knowledge, psychomotor skills, and competency of health workers in managing birth asphyxia and reducing mortality of newborns experiencing asphyxia within 24 hours. This study used pre- and post-test design (quasi experimental study). Purposive sampling was employed, and a computer-generated number was used to select the participants. Health workers from Juba Teaching Hospital comprised the intervention group. They were evaluated before and after the training from February to June 2017. A post training skill and competency evaluation was performed using a NeoNatalie newborn simulator and was repeated after three months of implementation for intervention and control group. Seventy health workers were enrolled; 40 were in the intervention group and 30 in the control group. Early newborn mortality due to asphyxia within 24 hours in intervention and control measure at pre and post implementation showed a significant reduction within the intervention than the control. Knowledge, psychomotor and competency of health care workers improved immediately after training and early newborn mortality reduced by half at the end of three months. It is recommended that training of health workers on HBB should be scaled up in most of the health facilities in South Sudan.


Author(s):  
Milena Morano ◽  
Claudio Robazza ◽  
Laura Bortoli ◽  
Irene Rutigliano ◽  
Montse C. Ruiz ◽  
...  

With the current obesity epidemic and the decline of fitness among school-aged children, the importance of obesity interventions to promote physical activity and healthy habits has become indisputable. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a school-based multicomponent intervention in increasing physical activity (PA) levels, actual physical abilities, and perceived physical abilities in clinical and nonclinical samples of overweight/obese boys and girls aged 10–12 years. The clinical intervention group (n = 35) participated in a 7-month after-school program in addition to curricular physical education lessons, while the nonclinical control group (n = 29) received usual curricular lessons. Measures included levels of PA and fitness and individual’s perceptions of physical ability. After treatment, the intervention group showed improved PA levels, perceived physical ability, and throwing and jumping task performances compared to the control group. Results indicate that a multicomponent program can improve levels of PA, fitness, and perceived competence of overweight participants. Findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive healthy lifestyle program that includes physical, psychosocial, and behavioral factors and suggest practical implications for educators, trainers, and teachers in identifying best practices targeting childhood obesity.


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
SILVIA CIAIRANO ◽  
MONICA EMMA LIUBICICH ◽  
EMANUELA RABAGLIETTI

ABSTRACTThis experimental study aimed to analyse the effects of an aerobic activity intervention delivered by specially trained instructors to a sample of Italian older people living in a residential care facility. We assessed intervention effects on general health perception, perception that one's health represents a limitation for moderate and heavy physical activity, and positive and negative self-perception. The 36-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) was administered at pre-test and post-test to a sample of 22 older people (ten in the control group and 12 in the intervention group) of both genders with an average age of 80.6 years. The findings showed that: (a) the perception that one's health can limit moderate and heavy physical activity decreased significantly in the older people belonging to the intervention group between pre- and post-test, while it increased in the control group; (b) positive self-perception was found to be stable in the intervention group, while it decreased in the control group; and (c) there was no interaction between group and time with respect to both general health perception and negative self-perception. The exercise programme seemed to have a particularly positive effect on older people's beliefs about their ability to master successfully the activities of daily living such as walking and moving objects.


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