Promoting the health of Promoting the health of school

Eisenstadt
Pinkafeld
Promoting the health of
school-aged children
Magdalena Thaller, BA, MA
scientific officer
Tallinn, 28.09.2012
Fachhochschulstudiengänge Burgenland Ges.m.b.H.
Factors associated with promoting
physical activity in primary schools
(“bewegte Schule” programme); an
explorative approach
Thaller Magdalena a, Schnabel Florian a
a
Fachhochschulstudigengänge Burgenland Ges.m.b.H.
Overview
1
Background/Aim
2
Method
3
Results
4
Conclusion
1. Background/Aim
Regular physical activity during
childhood is associated with
improvments in health.
Children should do 60 minutes
or more of physical activity
each day.
A substantial proportion of
children have lower physical
activity levels than
recommended for good health.
promotion of physical
activity during childhood
at least
60 min.
daily
Figure 1: Physical activity Guidelines for children,
FGÖ 2010
1. Background/Aim
Being active for at least 60 minutes daily can help children:
Improve their health
Do better in school
Improve their fitness
Grow stronger
Have fun playing with friends
Feel happier
Maintain a healthy body weight
Improve their self-confidence
Learn new skills
1. Background/Aim
BUT HOW WE CAN PROMOTE PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY IN CHILDHOOD?
1. Background/Aim
Schools = key environments for promoting health-enhancing
physical activity, because
we can reach all children
schools can provide opportunities to engage in physical activity
Interventions to promote physical activity –
“Bewegte Schule” programme:
implementing physical activity in daily school life
Central idea of this programme:
promote informal physical activity in addition to normal physical education
sessions
1. Background/Aim
The “Bewegte Schule” programme calls for physical activity to be integrated in:
Figure 2: „Bewegte Schule“ programme, Thaller 2011
education
after school hours
recress periods
Physical education
“Bewegte Schule“
programme
1. Background/Aim
Studies have shown strong associations between levels
of health and physical activity
Promoting physical activity in primary school not yet
consistently implemented
Purpose of the study:
identify factors with positive influence on the implementation of
physical activity in primary schools
identify potential barriers
2. Methods
Semi-structured interview:
collect qualitative data by creating a situation that allows respondents the
time and scope to talk about their opinions on a particular subject
Why semi-structured interview?
Obtain general information relevant to specific issues
Probe what is not known
Gain a rage of insights of specific issues
Clear complex questions and issues
People are able to talk about something in depth
Items were based on a literature review
Ten teachers participated in the study
Date were collected from May to June 2011
3. Results - main factors associated with the
implementation of physical activity in schools
policy
source of supports
structural
frameworks
qualification of
teaching staff
personal
interest of
teaching staff
Figure 3: Factors influencing the implementation of physical activity in school, Thaller 2011
Results
Principal
plays an important leadership role in the
planning,
implementation,
monitoring and
review of physical activity
be actively engaged in and supportive of the daily physical
activity initiative, with support and direction from the school
board.
3. Results
Principals could use the following suggestions to
establish a supportive environment:
Encourage staff to approach daily physical activity with a positive attitude.
Ensure that teachers have access to the necessary equipment and
resources to support the implementation of daily physical activity (e.g.,
guides for teachers, safety guidelines, other board and provincial
resources).
Encourage teachers to provide input regarding the framework and the
implementation plan.
Provide flexibility in the framework for implementing daily physical
activity.
Provide in-service training for teachers prior to implementation.
Look for opportunities for teachers to plan together to implement daily
physical activity.
Allow frequent opportunities for teachers to ask questions and to provide
feedback.
3. Results
Support levels:
close collaboration between school and relevant public institutions and
sport clubs
commitment of individual schools to implementing physical activity
Cooperation of parents
Policy:
changing curricula
changing policies
Conclusion
create an environment that supports physical activity as
part of a coordinated school health program
involve families and communities in the promotion of
physical activity in school
Structural changes
Personal changes
4. Conclusion
Physical activity programmes:
Clear aim by way of a mission statement
Strategic implementation plan
Increased commitment to Health in all Policies
Further research:
develop,
implement and
evaluate physical activity programmes
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION
Magdalena Thaller, BA, MA
scientific officer
university of applied science Burgenland
core competence health
Steinamangerstr. 21
7423 Pinkafeld
www.fh-burgenland.at
E-Mail: [email protected]
Telefon: +43 3357 45370 1333
Fax: +43 3357 45370 1010