The impact of a school-based physical activity intervention on learners' health behaviour.
Date
2014
Authors
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Abstract
Introduction: Five percent of South African youth are obese, 20%
overweight, 13% stunted and eight percent is underweight. Physical
activity among children and adolescents is believed to be insufficient and
low levels of physical activity seem to persist from childhood into
adulthood with this increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight
among children and adolescents, development of interventions to
promote PA in children and adolescents is a priority (van Sluijs et al.,
2007).
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a school-based
PA intervention on learners’ health behaviour.
Methods: This study was a quasi experimental, non-equivalent groups
design. An intervention programme and assessment pre- and postintervention
was conducted. Two schools (one control and one
experimental) from the Clermont Township in KwaZulu-Natal were
purposively selected by KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. Grade six
learners (n=129), their parents (n=19), school principals (n=2) and
educators (n=21) participated in this study. Learners completed a battery
of tests and completed a physical activity questionnaire for data
collection. Principals and educators were interviewed to determine their
perspectives on physical activity teaching and learning. Parents
participated in focus group sessions. The intervention was implemented
in the experimental school for the four month intervention period by the
educators.
Discussion and conclusions: Study findings indicate that a schoolbased
PA intervention programme can increase learners’ fitness levels.
The study showed that the introduction of various methods of physical
activity within the schools’ existing curriculum, working with educators
and parents can improve physical fitness and healthy eating habits in the
learners without disrupting normal learning and teaching in the school.
Furthermore, this study a school-based physical activity intervention can
improve physical activity awareness among teachers, learners and
parents.
Description
Master in Sport Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 2014.
Keywords
Exercise for children--Study and teaching (Elementary)--South Africa., Health education--Study and teaching (Elementary)--South Africa., Children--Nutrition--Study and teaching (Elementary)--South Africa., Physical education for children--Study and teaching (Elementary)--South Africa., Exercise--Childhood and youth., Theses--Sport science.