“For whom was it effective?” Moderators of the effect of a school-based intervention on potential physical activity determinants among brazilian students

Knowledge about the effects of school-based interventions on modifiable physical activity (PA) determinants (e.g., social support), and whether the intervention effect differs according to students' characteristics (e.g., age and gender) are relevant PA promotion topics. This study aims to answ...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Barbosa Filho, Valter Cordeiro, Silva, Kelly Samara da, Mota, Jorge, Vieira, Neiva Francenely Cunha, Gubert, Fabiane do Amaral, Lopes, Adair da Silva
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2017
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)
Repository:Repositório Institucional da Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.ufc.br:riufc/25512
Online Access:http://www.repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/25512
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Atividade Motora
Motor Activity
Obesidade
Fatores Socioeconômicos
Description
Summary:Knowledge about the effects of school-based interventions on modifiable physical activity (PA) determinants (e.g., social support), and whether the intervention effect differs according to students' characteristics (e.g., age and gender) are relevant PA promotion topics. This study aims to answer these topics among Brazilian students. This cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted with 548 students in the intervention group and 537 in the control group (51.5% of boys; aged 11–18 years). The four-month intervention included strategies focused on training teachers, opportunities for PA in the school environment, and health education. Potential PA determinants (attitude, self-efficacy, support of friends, parents, and teachers, perceived neighborhood environment and PA facilities in school) and moderators (gender, age, socioeconomic status (SES), and PA level at baseline) were assessed using self-reported instrument. Height and weight were measured to estimate the students' body mass index (BMI) status. Generalized linear models were used. In general, there was a significant and positive intervention effect for attitude, support of friends and teachers for PA, as well as PA facilities in school; effect size was 0.29, 0.24, 0.34, and 0.29, respectively (P < 0.05). Age (support of friends, parents, and teachers, perceived neighborhood environment and PA facilities in school) and moderators (gender, age, socioeconomic status (SES), and PA level at baseline) were assessed using self-reported instrument. Height and weight were measured to estimate the students' body mass index (BMI) status. Generalized linear models were used. In general, there was a significant and positive intervention effect for attitude, support of friends and teachers for PA, as well as PA facilities in school; effect size was 0.29, 0.24, 0.34, and 0.29, respectively (P < 0.05). Age (support of friends, parents and teachers, and PA facilities in school), SES (support of friends and PA facilities in school), and BMI status (support of friends) were moderators of the intervention effect on some outcomes. In conclusion, the intervention improved potential PA determinants, but some changes occurred differently according to students' characteristics. These findings should be considered in PA policies in the school context.