TWO-YEAR OUTCOMES FROM THE NEAT GIRLS SCHOOL-BASED PHYSICAL AND NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS
David R.LUBANS 1
Deborah L. Dewar 1
Ronald C. Plotnikoff 1
Anthony D. Okely 2
Clare E. Collins 1
Marijka Batterham 2
Robin Callister 1
Philip J. Morgan 1
1. University of Newcastle
2. University of Wollongong
Introduction: Physical activity declines steeply during adolescence (1) and dietary behaviors deteriorate as adolescents consume more food away from home (2). The school has been identified as an ideal setting for the promotion of physical activity and healthy eating (3) and multi-component school-based interventions have demonstrated promise for sustainable behavior change in adolescents (4).
Project aim: The aim of this project was to evaluate the 24-month impact of a targeted school-based physical activity and nutrition program for adolescent girls.
Research methods: A group randomized controlled trial that involved 12 secondary schools located in low-income communities in New South Wales, Australia. Participants were 357 adolescent girls (13.2 ± 0.5 years), who were considered to be “disengaged” in physical activity by their physical education teachers. The Nutrition and Enjoyable Activity for Teen Girls (NEAT Girls) program was delivered during school sport and guided by Social Cognitive Theory. The 12-month multi-component intervention involved a range of strategies to promote physical activity, reduce sedentary behaviors and improve dietary outcomes. Outcomes included body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, percentage body fat (bioelectrical impedance analysis), physical activity (accelerometers), dietary intake and recreational screen-time (self-report). Data were collected in 2010-2012 and analyzed in 2012.
Research findings and contribution: After 24 months, the intervention effects on BMI (adjusted mean difference [95% CI] = -0.33 [-0.97 to 0.28)], p=0.353) and BMI z-score (-0.12 [-0.27 to 0.04], p=0.178) were not statistically significant. However, there was a significant group-by-time interaction for percentage body fat (-1.96% [-3.02 to -0.89, p=0.006). Intervention effects for physical activity, screen-time and dietary intake were not statistically significant.
Relevance: The study findings demonstrate the potential for multi-component school-based interventions, but also highlight the need for teacher professional development and the challenges of school-based randomized controlled trials.
References
1. Sallis JF. Age-related decline in physical activity: A synthesis of human and animal studies. Med Sci Sport Exerc. 2000;32(9):1598-600.
2. Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D, French S. Individual and environmental influences on adolescent eating behaviors. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102( Suppl 3):S40-S51.
3. Wechsler H, Devereaux RS, Davis M, Collins J. Using the school environment to promote physical activity and healthy eating. Prev Med. 2000;31(2):S121-S37.
4. Van Sluijs EMF, McMinn AM, Griffin SJ. Effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity in children and adolescents: Systematic review of controlled trials. BMJ. 2007:doi:10.1136/bmj.39320.843947.BE.
5. Knai C, Pomerleau J, Lock K, McKee M. Getting children to eat more fruit and vegetables: A systematic review. Prev Med. 2006;42(2):85-95.
David Lubans –
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