Correlates of habitual physical activity and organized sports in German primary school children.

OBJECTIVES: The increased prevalence of childhood obesity has also been attributed to low physical activity (PA) levels. Understanding factors affecting child PA levels is especially important considering the benefits PA offers to youth. STUDY DESIGN: This study therefore examined different correlates affecting habitual PA and sports participation in primary school children. METHODS: Height and weight were measured during a school visit in 1714 children (7.1 ± .6 years). PA and behavioural correlates were assessed by parental questionnaire. The effect of various correlates on PA as well as participation in organized sports was assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Significant correlates of PA and sports participation were engagement in sporting activities outside of clubs and children's weight status. Playing outdoors for more than 60 min/day was significant for PA, having well educated parents and being male. Participation in sports was influenced by children's media consumption, active travel to school and having active parents. No influence was found for migration, income, parental weight status and health consciousness. CONCLUSION: In this study, a multiplicity of independent correlates of PA and sports participation, which require a broad approach to promote an active lifestyle, have been considered. Understanding these factors might support the development of effective health-promoting interventions.

[Development and implementation of a state-wide "train the trainer" model of the school-based prevention programme "Join the Healthy Boat - Primary School"]. / Entwicklung und Implementierung eines landesweiten Multiplikatorensystems zur flächendeckenden Umsetzung des schulbasierten Präventionsprogramms "Komm mit in das gesunde Boot - Grundschule"

STUDY AIM: This paper shows how a state-wide health-promotion intervention at primary schools can be implemented by considering the example of the programme "Join the Healthy Boat - Primary School". Additionally, it is illustrated how quality control throughout the whole process can be incorporated. METHODS: To operate long-term and target-group orientated in the whole state of Baden-Württemberg, the school-based prevention programme "Join the Healthy Boat" uses a "train the trainer" model. The trainers are teachers who were instructed by the project team. In the school year 2009/10, these trainers offered quadrinominal training courses for further teachers. Every urban and rural district is covered by 1 trainer. The trainers evaluated the 6 preparatory training courses they had been given using questionnaires. The following 4 training courses the trainers offered to the teachers were reviewed by the trainers as well as the teachers using questionnaires, too. Additionally, at the end of the school year 2009/10, the teachers completed a questionnaire about their satisfaction regarding the programme itself and the work with the trainer. RESULTS: During the school year 2009/10, 453 teachers were trained by 32 trainers. According to indications on the questionnaires about the preparatory training courses, all trainers felt themselves "very well" or "well" prepared for their task. The teachers evaluated the expertise of the respective trainer, the quality of the training courses and the satisfaction with the programme itself throughout highly. CONCLUSION: Based on the excellent results of the process evaluation and the programme's wide coverage, an adoption of a "train the trainer" model seems worthwhile for other school-based prevention programmes, as well.