Is the transition from primary to secondary school a risk factor for energy balance-related behaviours? A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: The substantial changes in the physical and social environment during the transition from primary to secondary school may significantly impact adolescents’ energy balance-related behaviours (i.e. dietary behaviour, sedentary behaviour, sleep behaviour, and physical activity). This is the first review systematically summarising evidence on changes in four energy balance-related behaviours of adolescents across the school transition from primary to secondary school. Design: For this systematic review the electronic databases Embase, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus were searched for relevant studies from inception to August 2021. PubMed was searched for relevant studies from inception to September 2022. Inclusion criteria were: i) longitudinal studies reporting ii) one or more energy balance-related behaviours iii) across the school transition i.e. with measurement(s) during both primary and secondary school. Setting: Transition from primary to secondary school Participants: Adolescents across the transition from primary to secondary school. Results: Thirty-four studies were eligible. We found strong evidence for an increase in sedentary time, moderate evidence for a decrease in fruit and vegetable consumption, and inconclusive evidence for a change in total, light, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, active transport, screen time, unhealthy snack consumption, and sugar sweetened beverages consumption among adolescents across the school transition. Conclusions: During the transition from primary to secondary school, sedentary time and fruit and vegetable consumption tend to change unfavourably. More high-quality, longitudinal research is needed specifically on changes in energy balance-related behaviour across the school transition, especially regarding sleep behaviour. (Prospero registration: CRD42018084799)

Factors Affecting Balance Performance in Adolescents

“…On the other hand, the LRT results were statistically significantly higher among younger participants compared to those older than 15 years. The age groups were determined based on whether children attend primary or secondary school because this is recognized in the literature as a transitional phase that poses a risk for the development of poor lifestyle habits (sedentary behavior, unhealthy diet, increased screen time) [32]. Age proved to be a statistically significant predictor of both SLS-EO and LRT test performance in our cohort, concurring with the assertion made in several studies that balance performance in youth improves with age [6,12,33].…”

The effect of successful educational actions in transition from primary to secondary school

“…Facing new relationships with teachers and peers, sometimes loss of friendships, a new school organization system, and a move from a smaller and personal space to a larger, complex, and impersonal one, are some of the struggles pupils must face, which might lead to a loss of sense and purpose regarding their school education. Additionally, some studies even show how this transition affects students’ increased sedentary lifestyles and dietary behaviour [ 9 ]. For migrant and minority students, school segregation might involve changing neighbourhoods, separation from their community, and educational lags due to the low quality of education at primary schools.…”