Impact of a South African School-based Intervention, HealthKick, on Fitness Correlates

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the impact of a whole-of-school health promotion program targeting healthy eating and physical activity on physical fitness levels, and physical activity-related knowledge, attitudes and behavior of primary school children.

Methods: Sixteen primary schools were randomly assigned as intervention (N = 8) and control (N = 8) schools. A selection of tests from the Eurofit testing battery was used to assess changes in fitness levels over the 3 years of the intervention. Anthropometric measurements included height and weight. A physical activity knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) questionnaire was administered to participants. Multi-level mixed effect linear models were used to assess differences between intervention and control schools.

Results: No overall improvement in physical fitness was found. The sit-ups score improved significantly in the intervention group (p < .05). No overall intervention effects were found on the determinants of physical activity behavior. Knowledge improved in both the intervention (p = .005) and control (p < .001) groups.

Conclusion: The lack of a specific intervention effect on fitness levels and physical activity-related KAB indicates that a "low intensity" intervention is not effective in South African primary school settings.