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Healthy Homework: A physical activity and nutrition intervention for children

Year:
2010
Duration:
37 months
Approved budget:
$1,187,411.25
Researchers:
Professor Scott Duncan
Health issue:
Nutrition
Proposal type:
Project
Lay summary
Physical activity and good nutrition in children are key priorities for our health and education sectors. While most health interventions in youth focus on the school setting, evidence suggests that children participate in more unhealthy behaviours outside of school. Healthy Homework (HH) is an integrated school curriculum and homework programme that teaches children to be active and eat well at home. The physical activity, dietary patterns, sedentary behaviour, body composition, and academic performance of 800 children aged 7-10 years from 10 intervention and 10 control schools will be monitored at baseline, programme completion, and six months post-intervention. The physical activity and diet of 100 parents/caregivers will also be measured. If successful, HH could be a cost-effective and sustainable solution for promoting healthy lifestyles in the home environment.