Effects of a physical education program on physical activity, fitness, and health in children: the JuvenTUM project.

摘要

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of a school-based prevention program on physical activity, fitness, and obesity. We performed a prospective study in eight Bavarian primary schools (n?=?724 children, 8.4?±?0.7 years) randomized one to one to either an intervention school (IS, n?=?427) or a control school (CS, n?=?297). Children in IS attended 10 health-related lessons at school over a period of 1 year. Parents and teachers attended two and three educational health-related lessons, respectively, and also received 10 newsletters on health issues. Daily physical activity (≥?60?min/day), physical fitness (six-item test battery), and anthropometric data were obtained at baseline and after 1?year. Physical activity and physical fitness increased in IS, but it failed to reach significant intervention effects. Nevertheless, a reduction in waist circumference was observed for all children [mean change 1.7 cm; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-2.3; P??90th percentile, n?=?99, mean change 3.2 cm; 95% CI 1.5-4.8; P?