Food & Health Alliance

Pate, R. R.; Saunder, R.; Dishman, R. K.; Addy, C.; Dowda, M. & Ward, D. S.  Department of Exercise Science, Health Promotion Education and Behaviour and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina; Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia and Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina.  (2007).  

Study that examines the long-term effects of a intervention applied in 11 American high schools that aimed to increase physical activity levels.

Method: There were 11 intervention and 11 control schools in the study. The intervention was applied in 9^th grade, and children were retested in 12^th grade, therefore these participants had experienced the environmental change within the school over a period of 4 years.  1594 adolescent girls participated in this study, data from 1047 girls was analysed for this report. 

The intervention had been applied with differing levels of stringency throughout different schools.  Therefore the data was split into two groups for analysis, high and low implementers.   Within the follow-up data two secondary groups were also identified, schools that maintained the changes in the intervention to either a high or low level. 

The intervention focused on changing instructional practice and changing the school environment.  The intervention aimed to improve enjoyment in physical activity and give skills to participants in order to adapt their lifestyles.  The intervention increased the choice of activities available and provided gender specific activities. 

Promotional materials were incorporated into the environment in order to encourage females to participate.  The intervention also provided health promotion programmes, encouraged family involvement and used community agencies to promote physical activity. 

Data was collected via P.E. class observations, interviews with P.E. teachers and focus groups with students.  The 3-day physical activity recall diary was administered to 12^th grade girls, with type and level of activity being recorded. 

Findings:  Girls who attended intervention schools, who fully implemented and maintained the key aspects of the intervention, were more active than other girls in the study.  Therefore the influence of a continued change in attitudes and approaches to females’ physical activity participation can have a positive effect on their behaviour throughout their school career. 

These changes should have a beneficial effect on their health related outcomes, and encourage active lifestyles in adulthood. 

Implications:  This study suggests that by applying a multi-faceted, maintained intervention long-term positive effects can be achieved.  These findings could be generalised to working with males and children at all school levels,  the important factor of the intervention is ensuring that the intervention is appropriate for the target group.

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