Feasibility and efficacy of a church-based intervention to promote physical activity in children.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a church-based intervention to promote physical activity (PA) in children.


METHODS
The study was conducted in 4 churches located in 2 large metropolitan areas and 2 regional towns in Kansas. Churches in the intervention condition implemented the "Shining Like Stars" physical activity curriculum module during their regularly scheduled Sunday school classes. Churches in the control condition delivered the same content without integrating physical activity into the lessons. In addition to the curriculum, the intervention churches completed a series of weekly family devotional activities designed to promote parental support for PA and increase PA outside of Sunday school.


RESULTS
Children completing the Shining Like Stars curriculum exhibited significantly greater amounts of MVPA than those in the control condition (20 steps/min vs. 7 steps/min). No intervention effects were observed for PA levels outside of Sunday school or parental support for PA; however, relative to controls, children in the intervention churches did exhibit a significant reduction in screen time.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings confirm that the integration of physical activity into Sunday school is feasible and a potentially effective strategy for promoting PA in young children.
Trost
Stewart G
SG
Dept of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
Tang
Rebecca
R
Loprinzi
Paul D
PD
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D012067:Religion; D014504:Urban Health