A successful nationwide implementation of the ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme in Brazilian elementary schools

Abstract

ObjectivesTo deliver a nationwide implementation of the ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme in Brazil and to compare the outcomes with results obtained previously in Sub-Saharan Africa.MethodA cohort study among 3694 Brazilian children aged 9–12 years within 128 elementary schools situated in 12 cities in the five Regions of Brazil. The ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme contains 11 90 min sessions: the first 45 min serve to encourage physical activity through the development of football skills (Play Football) and the second 45 min provide a vehicle for delivering 10 health messages (Play Fair). We measured preintervention and postintervention health knowledge (29-item questionnaire) and the children's evaluation of the programme (6-item questionnaire).ResultsMean age of the children across the five Regions was 10.6 years (range 9.2–11.6). The mean preintervention health knowledge score for the five Regions was 60.2% (range 53.8–65.3%); the mean postintervention score was 78.6% (range 70.7–86.8%); thus the mean increase in health knowledge was 18.4% (range 13.6–29.1%). 91% of the children gave a positive evaluation for the programme (range across five Regions: 82.3–96.7%).SummaryThe study showed that the ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme, which was originally developed in English and translated into another language, was delivered successfully with results equivalent to those previously obtained in Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme was effective across the five Regions of Brazil.

‘FIFA 11 for Health’ for Europe. II: effect on health markers and physical fitness in Danish schoolchildren aged 10–12 years

“…The implementations are routinely monitored to assess the impact of the programme on children's health knowledge, 1 and it has been shown that the programme is effective in increasing health knowledge in Africa, [2][3][4] Mexico 5 and Brazil. 6 However, the effects of the programme on the children's health profile and physical fitness have so far not been evaluated.…”

‘FIFA 11 for Health’ for Europe. 1: effect on health knowledge and well-being of 10- to 12-year-old Danish school children

“…Trained schoolteachers deliver the sessions in an age, gender and culturally sensitive engaging format. The programme has been translated into 6 languages and delivered successfully in 12 countries in Africa, 8–10 3 in Latin America, 11 3 in the Caribbean, 3 in South-east Asia and 2 in Oceania. Implementations follow a standardised protocol based on collaborations between FIFA, national Football Federations and Government Ministries of Health, Education and Sport.…”

“FIFA 11 for Health” for Europe in the Faroe Islands: Effects on health markers and physical fitness in 10‐ to 12‐year‐old schoolchildren

“…However, the physical effects of the program were not evaluated in these regions. 1,22,23 It is, however, unknown how children in a small-scale society will respond to the "FIFA 11 for Health" program.…”