Evaluation of a School-based Nutrition and Physical Activity Programme for Grade 4 Learners in the Western Cape Province

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Making the Difference programme (MTDP); an educationand activity-based intervention for Grade 4 learners at primary schools in the Western Cape. Design: This was a cross-sectional; post-intervention survey of an existing programme; using control schools as a comparator. Setting and subjects: The study involved Western Cape primary schools in the 2009 school year. Schools were randomly sampled from two regions. Four intervention (active in the MTDP) and five control (non-participating) schools (n = 325 learners) were selected. Outcome measures: The following outcome measures were assessed using an administered questionnaire to learners learners' knowledge of; attitudes towards; and behaviour in relation to nutrition and physical activity. Results: A small but significant improvement (eating vegetables and taking lunch boxes to school) was demonstrated with regard to self-reported behaviour in relation to nutrition in the intervention group. However; this behaviour was not explained by differences in barriers to healthy eating; self-efficacy or knowledge; which were not different between the groups; or by perceived social support; which was actually significantly increased in the control group. Groups displayed no differences in physical activity or sedentary behaviour. However; the results showed a significant difference between the groups in terms of a reduction in perceived barriers to physical activity and increased physical activity self-efficacy in the active group. Conclusion: While the MTDP only had a modest effect on the self-reported nutrition and physical activity behaviour of the learners; results regarding lower perceived barriers to physical activity and increased physical activity self-efficacy were promising