TY - JOUR
T1 - The Healthy Primary School of the Future: study protocol of a quasi-experimental study
AU - Willeboordse, Maartje
AU - Jansen, Maria
AU - Van den Heijkant, S.N.
AU - Simons, Andrew
AU - Winkens, B.
AU - De Groot, Renate
AU - Bartelink, Nina
AU - Kremers, Stef
AU - Van Assema, Patricia
AU - Savelberg, Hans
AU - De Neubourg, E.
AU - Borghans, Lex
AU - Schils, T.
AU - Coppens, K.M.
AU - Dietvorst, R.
AU - Ten Hoopen, R.
AU - Coomans, F.
AU - Klosse, S.
AU - Conjaerts, Martien
AU - Oosterhoff, M.
AU - Joore, Manuela
AU - Ferreira, I.
AU - Muris, P.
AU - Bosma, Hans
AU - Toppenberg, H.L.
AU - Van Schayck, C.P.
PY - 2016/7/26
Y1 - 2016/7/26
N2 - Background: Unhealthy lifestyles in early childhood are a major global health challenge. These lifestyles often persist from generation to generation and contribute to a vicious cycle of health-related and social problems. This design article presents a study evaluating the effects of two novel healthy school interventions. The main outcome measure will be changes in children’s body mass index (BMI). In addition, lifestyle behaviours, academic
achievement, child well-being, socio-economic differences, and societal costs will be examined.
Methods: In close collaboration with various stakeholders, a quasi-experimental study was developed, for which children of four intervention schools (n = 1200) in the southern part of the Netherlands are compared with children of four control schools (n = 1200) in the same region. The interventions started in November 2015. In two of the four intervention schools, a whole-school approach named ‘The Healthy Primary School of the Future’, is
implemented with the aim of improving physical activity and dietary behaviour. For this intervention, pupils are
offered an extended curriculum, including a healthy lunch, more physical exercises, and social and educational activities, next to the regular school curriculum. In the two other intervention schools, a physical-activity school approach called ‘The Physical Activity School’, is implemented, which is essentially similar to the other intervention,
except that no lunch is provided. The interventions proceed during a period of 4 years. Apart from the effectiveness
of both interventions, the process, the cost-effectiveness, and the expected legal implications are studied. Data collection is conducted within the school system. The baseline measurements started in September 2015 and yearly follow-up measurements are taking place until 2019.
Discussion: A whole-school approach is a new concept in the Netherlands. Due to its innovative, multifaceted nature and sound scientific foundation, these integrated programmes have the potential to form a template for primary schools worldwide. The effects of this approach may extend further than the outcomes associated with well-being and academic achievement, potentially impacting legal and cultural aspects in our society.
Trial registration: The study protocol was registered in the database ClinicalTrials.gov on 14-06-2016 with the reference number NCT02800616.
AB - Background: Unhealthy lifestyles in early childhood are a major global health challenge. These lifestyles often persist from generation to generation and contribute to a vicious cycle of health-related and social problems. This design article presents a study evaluating the effects of two novel healthy school interventions. The main outcome measure will be changes in children’s body mass index (BMI). In addition, lifestyle behaviours, academic
achievement, child well-being, socio-economic differences, and societal costs will be examined.
Methods: In close collaboration with various stakeholders, a quasi-experimental study was developed, for which children of four intervention schools (n = 1200) in the southern part of the Netherlands are compared with children of four control schools (n = 1200) in the same region. The interventions started in November 2015. In two of the four intervention schools, a whole-school approach named ‘The Healthy Primary School of the Future’, is
implemented with the aim of improving physical activity and dietary behaviour. For this intervention, pupils are
offered an extended curriculum, including a healthy lunch, more physical exercises, and social and educational activities, next to the regular school curriculum. In the two other intervention schools, a physical-activity school approach called ‘The Physical Activity School’, is implemented, which is essentially similar to the other intervention,
except that no lunch is provided. The interventions proceed during a period of 4 years. Apart from the effectiveness
of both interventions, the process, the cost-effectiveness, and the expected legal implications are studied. Data collection is conducted within the school system. The baseline measurements started in September 2015 and yearly follow-up measurements are taking place until 2019.
Discussion: A whole-school approach is a new concept in the Netherlands. Due to its innovative, multifaceted nature and sound scientific foundation, these integrated programmes have the potential to form a template for primary schools worldwide. The effects of this approach may extend further than the outcomes associated with well-being and academic achievement, potentially impacting legal and cultural aspects in our society.
Trial registration: The study protocol was registered in the database ClinicalTrials.gov on 14-06-2016 with the reference number NCT02800616.
KW - Academic Achievement
KW - Accelerometer
KW - Children
KW - Primary school Intervention
KW - Nutrition
KW - Obesity
KW - Physical activity
KW - Prevention
KW - School health
U2 - 10.1186/s12889-016-3301-9
DO - 10.1186/s12889-016-3301-9
M3 - Article
VL - 16
JO - BMC Public Health
JF - BMC Public Health
SN - 1471-2458
M1 - 639
ER -