4 research outputs found
Eating Behaviours of British University Students: A Cluster Analysis on a Neglected Issue
Unhealthy diet is a primary risk factor for noncommunicable diseases. University student populations are known to engage in health risking lifestyle behaviours including risky eating behaviours. The purpose of this study was to examine eating behaviour patterns in a population of British university students using a two-step cluster analysis. Consumption prevalence of snack, convenience, and fast foods in addition to fruit and vegetables was measured using a self-report âStudent Eating Behavioursâ questionnaire on 345 undergraduate university students. Four clusters were identified: ârisky eating behaviours,â âmixed eating behaviours,â âmoderate eating behaviours,â and âfavourable eating behaviours.â Nineteen percent of students were categorised as having âfavourable eating behavioursâ whilst just under a third of students were categorised within the two most risky clusters. Riskier eating behaviour patterns were associated with living on campus and Christian faith. The findings of this study highlight the importance of university microenvironments on eating behaviours in university student populations. Religion as a mediator of eating behaviours is a novel finding
Evaluation of a walking-track intervention to increase children's physical activity during primary school break times
Despite the known benefits of engaging in daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), only 22% of children in England are meeting the recommended guidelines. School break times have been advocated as a key part of children's daily routines in which their MVPA can be increased. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of installing a walking-track on children's MVPA during school break times. A mixed method design was employed which allowed for the quantitative measurement of children's PA at three time points (baseline, mid-intervention (1â»5 weeks) and follow-up (6â»9 weeks)), using pedometers (n = 81, 5â»9 years) and systematic observation (n = 23, 7â»9 years). A semi-structured interview (n = 1) was also conducted at 10 weeks' follow-up. The installation of the walking-track was grounded in a unique set of theoretical constructs to aid the behaviour change of the teachers. Short term positive increases in girls' and boys' MVPA and longer term increases in boys' vigorous PA (VPA) were found. Qualitative data highlighted that boys dominated the walking-track and the inconsistent behaviour of school staff negatively impacted upon children's MVPA. A set of principles to guide the installment of walking-tracks in school playgrounds are recommended.Published versio
âWe have to wait in a queue for our turn quite a bitâ Examining childrenâs physical activity during primary physical education lessons
The overall purpose of this study was to examine childrenâs physical activity (PA) during primary physical education (PE). This was achieved through the following two research objectives: (1) to measure childrenâs PA, lesson context and teacher promotion of PA during PE lessons; and (2) to explore teachersâ and childrenâs perspectives on PA levels during PE lessons. Evidence suggests that childrenâs PA during PE is below recommended levels and further research is required to understand the reasons why. Through a mixed method design, 138 children were observed using the System for Observing Fitness and Instruction Time, 80 children participated in group interviews, and 13 teachers were interviewed, across three primary schools in England. Findings indicated that the mean percentage of lesson time allocated to moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was 42.4% and the average lesson length was 35.3 minutes. Qualitative themes identified were: âknowledge and beliefsâ; âteacher pedagogyâ; and âteacher developmentâ. The findings indicate that a change in perspective is needed, which includes a focus on PA during primary PE lessons. Intervention work is required that targets teachersâ knowledge and beliefs towards PE along with the development of effective teaching strategies. However, this needs to be grounded in an ecological approach which will allow researchers and schools to target the various levels of influence. It is strongly recommended that interventions are grounded in behaviour change theory, as this study indicates that sharing knowledge about pedagogical strategies to increase childrenâs MVPA does not necessarily produce changes in teachersâ behaviours
Differences in body fat of british children from various ethnic groups
782 élÚves du secondaire garçons et filles ùgés de 11 à 14 ans ont participé à cette étude. La graisse corporelle a été mesurée par la méthode des plis cutanés. 25 à 30% des sujets sont considérés obÚses. Le pourcentage de graisse est variable selon le sexe et l'ethnie