Changing from primary to secondary school highlights opportunities for school environment interventions aiming to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour: a longitudinal cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundThere is little empirical evidence of the impact of transition from primary to secondary school on obesity-related risk behaviour. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a change of school system on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour in pre-early adolescents.MethodsFifteen schools in Victoria, Australia were recruited at random from the bottom two strata of a five level socio-economic scale. In nine schools, students in year 6 primary school transitioned to a different school for year 7 secondary school, while in six schools (combined primary-secondary), students remained in the same school environment from year 6 to year 7. Time 1 (T1) measures were collected from students (N=245) in year 6 (age 11-13). Time 2 (T2) data were collected from 243 (99%) of the original student cohort when in year 7.PA and sedentary behaviour data were collected objectively (via ActiGraph accelerometer) and subjectively (via child self-report recall questionnaire). School environment data were collected via school staff survey. Change of behaviour analyses were conducted longitudinally i) for all students and ii) by change/no change of school. Mixed model regression analysis tested for behavioural interaction effects of changing/not changing school.ResultsSixty-three percent (N=152) changed schools from T1 to T2. Across all students we observed declines in average daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (−4 min) and light PA (−23 min), and increases in average daily sedentary behaviour (16 min), weekday leisure screen time (17 min) and weekday homework screen time (25 min), all P<0.05. Compared to students who remained in the same school environment, students who changed school reported a greater reduction in PA intensity at recess and lunch, less likelihood to cycle to/from school, greater increase in weekday (41 mins) and weekend (45 mins) leisure screen time (P<0.05) and greater encouragement to participate in sport. School staff surveys identified that sport participation encouragement was greater in primary and combined primary-secondary than secondary schools (P<0.05).ConclusionTransitioning from primary to secondary school negatively impacts on children’s PA and sedentary behaviour, and has further compounding effects on behaviour type by changing school environments.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12966-015-0218-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Is school community perception of student weight status a barrier for addressing childhood obesity?

“…This study was designed to describe (i) students’ perceptions of their own weight status (n = 339, aged 11‐14) and (ii) school staff perceptions and readiness to address the problem of obesity from 42 schools in Victoria, Australia. Sampling and recruiting methods have been described previously as part of a broader longitudinal study assessing the impact of the school physical and social environment on weight status and related behaviour in areas of low socio‐economic position . In short, 50 schools were invited to participate: 11 primary/elementary, 6 combined primary‐secondary and 33 local secondary schools.…”

“…Sampling and recruiting methods have been described previously as part of a broader longitudinal study assessing the impact of the school physical and social environment on weight status and related behaviour in areas of low socio-economic position. 16,17 In short, 50 schools were invited to participate: 11 primary/elementary, 6 combined primary-secondary and 33 local secondary schools. Student participants from these randomised primary schools attended later years of primary (year 5 or 6) or early secondary (year 7) education levels.…”

Personal Network Characteristics as Predictors of Change in Obesity Risk Behaviors in Early Adolescence

“…Objective measures: Accelerometry and anthropometrics. Accelerometry methods have been described previously within the broader study (Marks, Barnett, Strugnell, & Allender, 2015). In brief, ActiGraph accelerometers (ActiGraph LCC, Pensacola, FL, USA) were issued to all students at T1 and 157 students (Year 7 secondary school students only) at T2 (due to limited availability).…”

“…Student self-report surveys comprised various behavioral questions within the following categories: PA, sedentary behavior, and dietary intake. Methods to collect self-report data have been described previously (Marks, Barnett, Strugnell, & Allender, 2015), and involved application of validated Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) (Kowalski, Crocker, & Donen, 2004), Children's Leisure Activity Study Survey (CLASS) (Telford, Salmon, Jolley, & Crawford, 2004), and Adolescent Behaviours and Attitudes Knowledge Questionnaire (ABAKQ) (Department of Health, 2011) surveys to report PA and screen behaviors, and the Eat Well Be Active validated survey (Wilson, Magarey, & Mastersson, 2008) to assess dietary intake in older children.…”

“…The longitudinal study design (over two time points) and sampling methods as part of a broader study have been provided previously Marks, Barnett, Strugnell, & Allender, 2015). Briefly, parental consent was received from 313 of 736 (43%) invited participants (age 11-13 years), recruited from 15 state government primary schools in low socioeconomic regions of Victoria, Australia.…”