Background
While obesity rates among children and adolescents have increased significantly in recent years, a decrease in physical activity among children has been widely attributed to this alarming situation. The present study aims to investigate the effect of the physical activity program developed according to the Precede-Proceed Model on children's physical activity level and physical activity self-efficacy, attitude, enjoyment level, and exercise change behaviors.
Methods
This study was developed according to the Precede-Proceed model and carried out in an experimental design with the pre-test-post-test control group. Considering the possibility of data loss during the research, 178 students were included in the study, 89 in the intervention group and 89 in the control group. The study period was from October 2021 to March 2022. Data was collected using Child Information Form, The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale (PASS) and Attitude toward Physical Activity Scale (APAS). In consultation with school administrators and classroom teachers, a physical activity program was developed using the Precede-Proceed model so as not to disrupt student instruction. The exercises were carried out three days a week for 30 minutes in the school garden and gym, and the training was carried out in the classrooms one day a week.
Results
It is seen that there is a significant difference between the mean scores of the children's physical activity questionnaire at interim follow-up (t=2.885, p<0.01) and post-test (t=12.588, p<0.01) between the groups of students (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of post-test physical activity self-efficacy scale scores (p <0.05). It is seen that there is a significant difference between the groups in terms of the APAS at the interim follow-up (t=4.157, p<0.01) and post-test (t=9.197, p<0.01) scores (p<0.05).
Conclusions
The physical activity program developed according to the Precede-Proceed Model increased children's physical activity levels as well as their self-efficacy and attitudes toward physical activity.