title: Effects of combined physical education and nutritional programs on schoolchildren's healthy habits.
abstract: Background. A multidisciplinary approach seems to be effective in creating healthy habits in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three 5-month combined physical education (PE) and nutritional interventions on body composition, physical activity (PA) level, sedentary time and eating habits of schoolchildren. Methods. Anthropometric data, weekly PA level, sedentary time and eating habits of 230 healthy students were analysed using a repeated-measures ANOVA with Group (experimental group 1 vs experimental group 2 vs control group), Adiposity Status (under fat vs normal fat vs obese), and Time (pre vs post) as factors. Results. Body fat mass percentage increased after intervention (18.92 ± 8.61% vs 19.40 ± 8.51%) in all groups. The weekly PA level significantly increased after intervention in both experimental groups. Sedentary time significantly decreased after the intervention period (565.70 ± 252.93 vs 492.10 ± 230.97 min/week, p < 0.0001). Moreover, obese children were more sedentary than under fat and normal fat children. Children significantly changed the consumption of some specific foods after intervention. Discussion. This study revealed the effectiveness of a combined PE and nutritional intervention to improve children's healthful dietary practices and to encourage an active lifestyle. However, it needs a further appropriate development to establish patterns of healthful dietary practices that encourage an active lifestyle with which to maintain healthy habits through life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico," Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gallotta
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico," Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iazzoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico," Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Pietro
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Emerenziani
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University , Boone, NC , United States.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico," Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Migliaccio
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico," Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guidetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico," Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baldari
keywords: Children; MVPA; Nutritional intervention; Physical education; School context