[Intervention study on healthy lifestyle of children].
OBJECTIVE
To set up valid, feasible and reliable intervention to help children with a healthy life-style.


METHODS
Children of grades 3, 4 and 5 in Taoyuan elementary school in Taiyuan city, Shanxi province were studied by self-administered knowledge, attitudes and behaviors questionnaire on health, in May 1999. Results indicated that there were some problems in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on health among children. Children were assigned to intervention group and control group. The balance between the two groups was tested statistically. Children of the intervention group received intervention for half a year. After intervention, knowledge, attitude and behavior of children on health in both groups were assessed again.


RESULTS
After intervention the mean scores of health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of intervention group were significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). After intervention, the total mean score of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on health has been improved from 125.70 +/- 16.95 on pre-test to 156.84 +/- 21.72 on post-test in intervention group. The mean score of knowledge on health was increased form 47.54 +/- 10.07 to 68.19 +/- 12.92 while the mean score of attitudes increased from 17.87 +/- 3.66 to 20.92 +/- 4.31 and the mean score of healthy behavior increased from 60.30 +/- 9.08 to 67.74 +/- 10.44 respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Methods used in the intervention study seemed to be appropriate and the contents suitable.
Xu
Yan-wu
YW
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China.
Wang
Fang-fang
FF
Zhang
Jiang-hong
JH
D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002660:Child Guidance / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires