Efficacy of a compulsory homework programme for increasing physical activity and improving nutrition in children: a cluster randomised controlled trial

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dc.contributor.authorDuncan, S
dc.contributor.authorStewart, T
dc.contributor.authorMcPhee, J
dc.contributor.authorBorotkanics, R
dc.contributor.authorPrendergast, Kate
dc.contributor.authorZinn, C
dc.contributor.authorMeredith-Jones, K
dc.contributor.authorTaylor, R
dc.contributor.authorMcLachlan, C
dc.contributor.authorSchofield, G
dc.date.accessioned2024-11-26T01:32:41Z
dc.date.available2024-11-26T01:32:41Z
dc.date.issued2019
dc.description.abstractBackground: Most physical activity interventions in children focus on the school setting; however, children typically engage in more sedentary activities and spend more time eating when at home. The primary aim of this cluster randomised controlled trial was to investigate the effects of a compulsory, health-related homework programme on physical activity, dietary patterns, and body size in primary school-aged children. Methods: A total of 675 children aged 7-10 years from 16 New Zealand primary schools participated in the Healthy Homework study. Schools were randomised into intervention and control groups (1:1 allocation). Intervention schools implemented an 8-week applied homework and in-class teaching module designed to increase physical activity and improve dietary patterns. Physical activity was the primary outcome measure, and was assessed using two sealed pedometers that monitored school- and home-based activity separately. Secondary outcome measures included screen-based sedentary time and selected dietary patterns assessed via parental proxy questionnaire. In addition, height, weight, and waist circumference were measured to obtain body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). All measurements were taken at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1), and 6-months post-intervention (T2). Changes in outcome measures over time were estimated using generalised linear mixed models (GLMMs) that adjusted for fixed (group, age, sex, group x time) and random (subjects nested within schools) effects. Intervention effects were also quantified using GLMMs adjusted for baseline values. Results: Significant intervention effects were observed for weekday physical activity at home (T1 [P < 0.001] and T2 [P = 0.019]), weekend physical activity (T1 [P < 0.001] and T2 [P < 0.001]), BMI (T2 only [P = 0.020]) and fruit consumption (T1 only [P = 0.036]). Additional analyses revealed that the greatest improvements in physical activity occurred in children from the most socioeconomically deprived schools. No consistent effects on sedentary time, WHtR, or other dietary patterns were observed. Conclusions: A compulsory health-related homework programme resulted in substantial and consistent increases in children's physical activity - particularly outside of school and on weekends - with limited effects on body size and fruit consumption. Overall, our findings support the integration of compulsory home-focused strategies for improving health behaviours into primary education curricula. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12618000590268. Registered 17 April 2018.
dc.identifier.citationDuncan S, Stewart T, McPhee J, Borotkanics R, Prendergast K, Zinn C, Meredith-Jones K, Taylor R, McLachlan C, Schofield G (2019). Efficacy of a compulsory homework programme for increasing physical activity and improving nutrition in children: a cluster randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 16(1). 80-.
dc.identifier.doihttp://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0840-3
dc.identifier.issn1479-5868
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10092/106232
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC
dc.rightsAll rights reserved unless otherwise stated
dc.rights.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/17651
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectExercise
dc.subjectSchools
dc.subjectChild
dc.subjectHealth Promotion
dc.subjectNew Zealand
dc.subjectChild Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
dc.subjectChild health
dc.subjectIntervention
dc.subjectEducation
dc.subjectCurriculum
dc.subjectPedometers
dc.subjectDietary assessment
dc.subjectBody size
dc.subjectChild obesity
dc.subject.anzsrc11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.anzsrc13 Education
dc.subject.anzsrc39 - Education
dc.subject.anzsrc42 - Health sciences
dc.titleEfficacy of a compulsory homework programme for increasing physical activity and improving nutrition in children: a cluster randomised controlled trial
dc.typeJournal Article
uc.collegeFaculty of Arts
uc.departmentLanguage, Social and Political Sciences
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