Dissemination, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Effective School-Based Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in Adolescents: A Study Protocol.

Adolescents around the world do not engage in sufficient physical activity and the Spanish context is no exception. Understanding the educational context as a complex system, school-based multi-level and multi-component interventions seem to be an effective strategy to reverse this trend. Moreover, a co-creational approach seems to facilitate the mobilization of community partnerships and the engagement of stakeholders in the intervention process. This study aims to describe the dissemination, implementation, and evaluation process of an effective school-based intervention program in another setting using the replicating effective programs framework and a co-participatory approach. This study will be conducted in two Spanish secondary schools located in the region of Aragon (experimental vs. control school) in a sample of adolescents in the second grade (13-14 years old). To evaluate the effectiveness, different health behaviors such as physical activity, sleep, sedentary time with screens, nutrition, and psychosocial variables will be quantitatively measured at baseline and after the implementation of the intervention. Qualitative methods will also be used to better understand the implementation process and the co-creation approach, as well as to provide insights into the sustainability of the intervention program. The current study has the potential to provide strong information about the dissemination, implementation, and evaluation process of school-based programs to promote healthy behaviors among adolescents.

A Community-Based Participatory Action Research with Women from Disadvantaged Populations: Strengths and Weaknesses of a Multiple Health Behaviour Change Intervention.

Disadvantaged populations usually adopt risk behaviours, resulting in obesity and mental health-related disorders. Grounded in the socioecological model and self-determination theory, the aims were firstly to describe and implement a two-year multiple health behaviour change intervention, and secondly, to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the intervention. In total, 11 women from a disadvantaged population participated in this programme, which encompassed 117 sessions. Qualitative techniques were used to collect data and a thematic analysis was conducted. The variety of activities and the group-based intervention were the main strengths, and the decrease in attendance and the programme's tight schedule were the main weaknesses. This is the first intervention in a disadvantaged population mainly comprised of Roma women. The design described in detail and its assessment provide relevant knowledge to improve their health status and decrease inequalities. The practical implications for future research are useful for replicating interventions in similar contexts.

Evaluation of a 20-Month Physical Activity Intervention to Improve Motivational and Affective Outcomes Among Disadvantaged Adult Women.

Grounded in self-determination theory, this study aimed to qualitatively examine women's perception of a set of motivational and affective consequences during and immediately after a physical activity intervention. In total, 11 disadvantaged adult women participated in this 20-month intervention. A total of 102 physical activity sessions based on need-supportive strategies were performed. Six discussion groups, 14 semi-structured interviews, and field notes were used to collect data. A thematic analysis was conducted based on self-determination theory. Findings highlighted that it might be advisable among these disadvantaged women to begin with relatedness-support strategies to increase group cohesion, followed by competence support strategies to increase self-confidence, and, finally, autonomy support strategies to empower women to be physically active. The development of a need-supportive environment in a physical activity intervention may have the potential to achieve motivational and affective consequences, which might promote the empowerment of these disadvantaged women to be physically active.

Patrones de desplazamiento al centro educativo en adolescentes de Huesca / Commuting patterns to school in adolescents from Huesca

El objetivo del estudio fue describir el tipo de desplazamiento utilizado por los adolescentes de Huesca para ir y volver del centro educativo, así como analizar su asociación con el género y el curso académico. Participaron 1.709 adolescentes (Medad=14.20; DT=1.56; 51.7% chicas) de 1º de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) a 1º de Bachillerato. Los estudiantes cumplimentaron un cuestionario sobre el modo habitual de desplazamiento en la ida y vuelta al instituto. Los resultados señalaron que un 76.4% de los adolescentes se desplazaba activamente (i.e., andando o en bicicleta) tanto en la ida como en la vuelta. De los adolescentes que se desplazaban activamente, un 78.5% en la ida y un 81.7% en la vuelta lo hacía caminando. En relación con el género, se encontró una asociación positiva entre ir andando al centro educativo y ser chica, así como entre ir en bicicleta y ser chico. En relación con el curso académico, desplazarse andando al centro educativo se asoció positivamente con 4º de ESO y negativamente con 1º de Bachillerato. Asimismo, desplazarse en bicicleta se asoció positivamente con 1º de Bachillerato y negativamente con 3º de ESO. Aunque la mayoría de los adolescentes se desplaza activamente al instituto, parece necesario promover programas escolares que incentiven el desplazamiento activo de los jóvenes dada las características favorables de movilidad de la ciudad de Huesca. De igual modo, parece necesaria la promoción de la bicicleta como modo de desplazamiento al instituto, especialmente en las chicas y en los estudiantes de ESO

The aim of this study was to describe the usual mode of commuting to and from school in adolescents of Huesca and its association with gender and academic year. A total of 1,709 adolescents (Mage=14.20; DT=1.56; 51.7% girls) from 1st-year of middle school [Spanish acronym, ESO] to 1st-year high school) participated in this study. A questionnaire of the usual mode of commuting to and from school was self-reported by students. Results showed that 76.4% of adolescents commuted actively (i.e., walking or cycling) to and from school. Of the adolescents who commute actively to and from school, 78.5% to school and 81.7% from school walked. Regarding gender, a positive association was found between walking to and from school and being a girl, as well as between cycling and being a boy. Regarding the grade level, walking to and from school was positively associated with adolescents in 4th of middle school and negatively with 1st-year high school. On the other hand, travelling by bicycle both routes was positively associated with 1st-year of high school and negatively with 3rd year of middle school. Although the majority of adolescents from Huesca commuted actively to and from school, it seems that active school transport interventions are necessary, given the favorable characteristics of the city of Huesca. Similarly, it seems necessary to promote cycling as a means of transport to and from school, especially among girls and secondary education students

Academic Achievement and Physical Activity: The Ideal Relationship to Promote a Healthier Lifestyle in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: School environment provides several intervention opportunities for physical activity. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between objectively assessed moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and academic achievement in adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from 301 students aged between 13 and 15 years (46.51% boys), enrolled at 7 secondary schools in the city of Huesca (Spain). Participants wore accelerometers during a 7-day period, and their academic achievement was calculated from the average marks of all subjects. Structural equation modeling and quadratic regression analysis were performed to test both linear and nonlinear explanatory models. One-way analysis of variance was also performed to explore the effect of gender and the percentage of compliance with MVPA recommendations. RESULTS: MVPA on weekdays and higher levels of body mass index were negatively associated with academic achievement. According to the curvilinear relationship, those students whose MVPA levels were closer to the daily recommendation were more likely to obtain higher academic achievement. However, a significant association was only shown in the case of boys. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who satisfy the international recommendations tend to obtain better academic achievement. Therefore, MVPA for adolescents should be prescribed within some beneficial time margins (50-70 min/d).

Active or Passive Commuter? Discrepancies in Cut-off Criteria among Adolescents.

Active commuting to school has health implications for young people. Previous research has shown the need to consistently define the concept of "active commuter", given that assessment as well as comparison between studies may be hindered by current discrepancies in frequency criteria. Using a sample of 158 Spanish students (12th-13th grade, 60.8% girls), the current study aimed to compare several cut-off criteria to rigorously identify the frequency of weekly active trips to school in order to categorize adolescents as active or passive commuters, and to analyze whether the threshold living distance to school is associated with the different trip cut-off criteria. Percentages of active commuters ranged from 75% to 88.6%, varying significantly depending on the cut-off criteria (5-10 active trips/week) used. The results also support the need to be stricter in the selection of a cut-off criterion when the distance to the school becomes shorter. Our findings highlight the importance of following a standard criterion to classify individuals as active or passive commuters, considering the characteristics of the context in which each study is conducted.

Can High Schools Be an Effective Setting to Promote Healthy Lifestyles? Effects of a Multiple Behavior Change Intervention in Adolescents.

PURPOSE: The main aim was to examine the effects of a school-based intervention on multiple health behaviors in adolescents, such as 24-hour movement behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep duration), diet, and substance consumption (i.e., alcohol and tobacco). Another aim was to examine intragender differences in the effectiveness of the programme. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was carried out in two secondary schools throughout one academic year. A final sample of 210 students participated: 105 in the control (Mage = 13.07 ± 0.63) and 105 in the experimental school (Mage = 13.05 ± 0.59). A multicomponent school-based intervention was conducted by teachers in the experimental school via curricular (i.e., tutorial action plan, interdisciplinary project, and school break) and extracurricular (i.e., family involvement, institutional and noncurricular activities, and dissemination of health information and events) actions to promote adolescents' healthy lifestyles. Physical activity and sedentary time were measured by accelerometers, and the rest of health behaviors by using self-reported scales. RESULTS: Experimental school students showed a significant improvement in meeting specific and general combinations of 24-hour movement guidelines, sedentary screen time levels, nap duration, (un)healthy diet scores, breakfast intake, and soft drink consumption compared to both control school students and their baseline values (p >.05). Active commuting and substance consumption rates only showed a significant improvement compared to control school students (p >.05). Although the intervention programme was effective in improving health-related behaviors in both genders, a large effect size was observed in boys. CONCLUSIONS: Conducting multiple health behavior interventions becomes essential to improve adolescents' healthy lifestyles.

Validation Evidence of the Motivation for Teaching Scale in Secondary Education.

Grounded in self-determination theory, the aim of this study was to develop a scale with adequate psychometric properties to assess motivation for teaching and to explain some outcomes of secondary education teachers at work. The sample comprised 584 secondary education teachers. Analyses supported the five-factor model (intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, external regulation and amotivation) and indicated the presence of a continuum of self-determination. Evidence of reliability was provided by Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability and average variance extracted. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses supported the partial invariance (configural and metric) of the scale in different sub-samples, in terms of gender and type of school. Concurrent validity was analyzed by a structural equation modeling that explained 71% of the work dedication variance and 69% of the boredom at work variance. Work dedication was positively predicted by intrinsic motivation (ß = .56, p < .001) and external regulation (ß = .29, p < .001) and negatively predicted by introjected regulation (ß = -.22, p < .001) and amotivation (ß = -.49, p < .001). Boredom at work was negatively predicted by intrinsic motivation (ß = -.28, p < .005) and positively predicted by amotivation (ß = .68, p < .001). The Motivation for Teaching Scale in Secondary Education (Spanish acronym EME-ES, Escala de Motivación por la Enseñanza en Educación Secundaria) is discussed as a valid and reliable instrument. This is the first specific scale in the work context of secondary teachers that has integrated the five-factor structure together with their dedication and boredom at work.

Validation evidence of the motivation for teaching scale in secondary education

Grounded in self-determination theory, the aim of this study was to develop a scale with adequate psychometric properties to assess motivation for teaching and to explain some outcomes of secondary education teachers at work. The sample comprised 584 secondary education teachers. Analyses supported the five-factor model (intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, external regulation and amotivation) and indicated the presence of a continuum of self-determination. Evidence of reliability was provided by Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability and average variance extracted. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses supported the partial invariance (configural and metric) of the scale in different sub-samples, in terms of gender and type of school. Concurrent validity was analyzed by a structural equation modeling that explained 71% of the work dedication variance and 69% of the boredom at work variance. Work dedication was positively predicted by intrinsic motivation (ß = .56, p < .001) and external regulation (ß = .29, p < .001) and negatively predicted by introjected regulation (ß = -.22, p < .001) and amotivation (ß = -.49, p < .001). Boredom at work was negatively predicted by intrinsic motivation (ß = -.28, p < .005) and positively predicted by amotivation (ß = .68, p < .001). The Motivation for Teaching Scale in Secondary Education (Spanish acronym EME-ES, Escala de Motivación por la Enseñanza en Educación Secundaria) is discussed as a valid and reliable instrument. This is the first specific scale in the work context of secondary teachers that has integrated the five-factor structure together with their dedication and boredom at work

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Sedentary Behaviors by Type of Day and Physical Activity in Spanish Adolescents: A Socio-Ecological Approach.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between TV and computer use, study time, and physical activity, with regard to gender, school, and weekday/weekend. Adolescents (N = 1,609; M age = 14.5 yr., SD = 1.3) reported on physical activity, sedentary behavior, their parents' employment, and environmental factors. The relationship between PA and screen media behaviors was negative on weekdays, while no relationship was found at weekends. Only 30.7% of adolescents met the screen media guidelines on weekdays and 14.6% at weekends. Girls spent more time on study, only showing a positive relationship with physical activity on weekdays. Each type of sedentary behavior has different correlates for weekdays and weekends.

Physical education: the effect of epoch lengths on children's physical activity in a structured context.

BACKGROUND: Despite a consensus emerging that affirms that shorter epochs should be used in youth to correctly register physical activity levels in free-living conditions, little is known about its effect on children's physical activity conducted in structured periods of time. This study analyzed the effect that epoch length (1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60s) may have on different physical activity intensities in physical education lessons. METHODS: A sample of 1912 individual measures of physical education lessons were measured with a GT3X accelerometer. Data were collected from 1227 Swiss Elementary school students recruited in 17 elementary schools. PE lessons lasted from 45 minutes to one and a half hours. Data, originally collected in 1-s epoch, were then reintegrated into 2s, - 3s - 5s - 10s - 15s - 30s -60s epochs. RESULTS: Longer epochs were associated with higher levels of light (F = 8197.6, p < .001), moderate (F = 2708.17, p < .001), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (F = 888.08, p < .001). However, longer epochs showed lower levels of sedentary activity (F = 31714.33, p < .001) and vigorous physical activity (F = 1910.97, p < .001). Bias increased in all PA intensities when shorter epochs were compared with longer epochs. There were statistically significant differences in compliance with physical education guidelines (χ(2) = 989.27, p<.001), showing higher levels with longer epochs. CONCLUSION: PA context may have some influence on the effects that epoch length have on PA estimates, more specifically on MVPA. Nevertheless, the use of a high-frequency sampling interval should be used to more accurately assess children's PA.

Weekday and weekend physical activity patterns of French and Spanish adolescents.

Adolescents' objectively assessed physical activity (PA) patterns during specific segments of the day remain unclear. In order to develop a clearer understanding this study examined country and gender differences in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels during specific segments of weekdays and weekend days, and explored the contribution of each segment to PA guidelines. Morpho-demographic, socio-economic and PA data were collected from a sample of 829 French and Spanish adolescents (45.0% Spanish; 55.2% females; 14.33±.73 years). Actigraph GT3X accelerometers were worn for seven days to assess adolescents' MVPA for three segments of weekdays (school-travel-time, school-time, and non-school-time), and weekend days (morning-time, afternoon-time and night-time). Data were analysed using multilevel modelling. The most active segments were non-school-time (29.2±17.5 min) and school-time (25.8±14.2 min) during weekdays, and morning-time (28.2±25.8 min) on weekend days. Except for school-time, Spanish adolescents were more significantly active than French adolescents during all segments. Significant gender differences were found in all segments. Country differences highlight the need to recognise cultural contexts that influence adolescents' PA. Common European-wide strategies may be insufficient to increase MVPA levels if cultural variability is not considered. Spanish and French PA intervention programmes should target girls and low-active boys during non-school-time and weekends.

A cross-cultural study of adolescents' physical activity levels in France and Spain.

The goals of this study were (1) to describe and compare levels of physical activity (PA), assessed by accelerometry, of adolescents in two close Spanish and French cities according to gender and period of the week and (2) to assess, with reference to country and gender, the extent to which international PA guidelines were fulfilled. The PA of 401 adolescents (53.37% females) from France and Spain (55.72% French) aged 14.45 ± 0.67 years was assessed with GT3X accelerometers for seven consecutive days to evaluate their habitual levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Data collection took place from September to December 2010 in six public and state schools in France and Spain. There were significant differences in MVPA in terms of country, gender and period of the week. Spanish adolescents were more active than French adolescents, boys were more active than girls and MVPA was higher on weekdays than at weekends. French girls showed the lowest level of PA. Only 35.9% of the whole sample met the guidelines for PA in both countries. Governments of relevant countries, especially France, should adopt PA promotion policies targeted at adolescents in order to enhance their compliance with PA guidelines.