Effects of integrating pedometers, parental materials, and E-mail support within an extracurricular school sport intervention.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a school-based intervention (Program X) incorporating pedometers and e-mail support on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and healthy eating in adolescents.


METHODS
A randomized control trial was used to evaluate the impact of the Program X intervention. Six schools (N = 124 participants; mean age 14.1 +/- .8 years) were randomized to intervention or control conditions for the 6-month study period. Objectively recorded physical activity (mean steps/day), self-reported sedentary behavior, and dietary habits were measured at baseline and at 6-month follow-up and intervention effects were assessed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and chi(2) tests.


RESULTS
Participants in the intervention group increased their step counts by 956 +/- 4107 steps/day (boys) and 999 +/- 1999 (girls). Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant group-by-time interactions for boys (F = 7.4, p = .01, d = .80) and girls (F = 29.6, p <.001, d = 1.27) for mean steps/day. The intervention significantly decreased the number of energy-dense/low-nutrient snacks consumed by boys (chi(2) = 4.0, p = .043) and increased the number of fruit serves among girls (chi(2) = 4.8, p = .028). The intervention did not have a statistically significant effect on sedentary behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
A school-based intervention incorporating physical activity monitoring using pedometers and e-mail support was successful in promoting physical activity and selected healthy eating behaviors in adolescent boys and girls.
Lubans
David R
DR
School of Education, The University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: David.Lubans@newcastle.edu.au.
Morgan
Philip J
PJ
School of Education, The University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
Callister
Robin
R
School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
Collins
Clare E
CE
School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004032:Diet; D034742:Electronic Mail; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010290:Parents; D012574:Schools; D013177:Sports; D016138:Walking