Effects of a School Based Intervention on Children’s Physical Activity and Healthy Eating: A Mixed-Methods Study

Khan, Matluba; Bell, Ruth

doi:10.3390/ijerph16224320

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Effects of a School Based Intervention on Children’s Physical Activity and Healthy Eating: A Mixed-Methods Study

Matluba Khan

and

Ruth Bell

Institute of Health Equity, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(22), 4320; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224320

Received: 5 September 2019 / Revised: 26 October 2019 / Accepted: 30 October 2019 / Published: 6 November 2019

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A More Sustainable and Healthier Future for All: What Works?)

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Abstract

Combined diet and physical activity school-based interventions (rather than only diet or physical activity interventions) are more likely to help prevent children from becoming overweight in the long term. However, such interventions are less prevalent, and therefore, this pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of a gardening intervention coupled with awareness about plant-based meals among 9−10 year old children in a London primary school. We recruited 60 children from two Year 5 classes, one class participated as an intervention group, and results were compared against another class who acted as the control group. Children’s physical activity (PA) was measured using GENEActiv wrist-worn accelerometers. Their fruit and vegetable intake and attitudes to and preferences in eating fruits and vegetables were measured using a self-report questionnaire. Furthermore, three focus groups were held with children in the intervention group to understand the reasons behind any change as a result of the intervention. Results are inconclusive; however, they indicate some impact on reduction of sedentary behaviour, increase of moderate to vigorous PA, knowledge of nutrition and some level of acceptance in trying new vegetables. School-based interventions involving gardening show some promise to increase children’s PA and improve their attitudes to eating fruits and vegetables. View Full-Text

Keywords: garden; children; physical activity; health behaviour; Green Gym; accelerometry; mixed methods; quasi-experiment

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Khan, M.; Bell, R. Effects of a School Based Intervention on Children’s Physical Activity and Healthy Eating: A Mixed-Methods Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 4320. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224320

AMA Style

Khan M, Bell R. Effects of a School Based Intervention on Children’s Physical Activity and Healthy Eating: A Mixed-Methods Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16(22):4320. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224320

Chicago/Turabian Style

Khan, Matluba, and Ruth Bell. 2019. "Effects of a School Based Intervention on Children’s Physical Activity and Healthy Eating: A Mixed-Methods Study" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 22: 4320. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224320

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Effects of a School Based Intervention on Children’s Physical Activity and Healthy Eating: A Mixed-Methods Study

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