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School-based intervention programme, South Africa

Area

Partner

Project responsible

Duration

Project budget

WDF contribution

Project number

South Africa, Western Cape Province

Human Science Research Council, University of Cape Town

Dr. N.P. Steyn

July 2006 - October 2012

USD 450,578

USD 248,385

 

WDF06-174

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Objective

The aim of the project is to develop, implement and assess a school-based intervention programme aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle and preventing development of type 2 diabetes.

Expected impact

  • Intervention programme will be developed and implemented in 4 rural and 4 urban schools
  • 40 teachers trained
  • 800 children and 1,600 parents will receive education on healthy lifestyle

Results to date

  • Health checks (blood pressure measurements, blood glucose and BMI) have been conducted among all grade 4-6 school teachers of 82 schools. Teachers are provided with a "report card" for their health risks.
  • Baseline and follow up anthropometric assessments combined with a KAB (knowledge, attitude and behaviour) survey, fitness testing and measurements of dietary intake have been conducted among 1,040 grade 4 children, 1,403 grade 5 children (previously grade 4) and 892 grade 6 children (previously grade 5).
  • Baseline anthropometric assessment combined with survey on risk behaviours and determinants for diabetes have been conducted among 600 grade 4-6 teachers, 200 parents, 164 educators and 40 staff from education departments.
  • The analysed data for the first grade 4 survey (more than 800 children) confirm that the project's objectives are relevant and that the school setting provide the ideal environment to address learner's nutrition and physical activity status.
  • 703 teachers, 2,500 children and 584 parents have been trained /sensitised through the various interventions.
  • A HealthKick team facilitates visits to the participating schools as well as training of teachers. More than 100 educators and administrative staff have been trained by the HealthKick team.
  • Action planning workshops for the beginning of the school year 2010 was conducted at all 8 intervention schools. Each schools is given the option to either introduce nutrition and physical activity guidelines or ensure that "tuck-shops" or vendors make healthier options available.
  • A toolkit has been developed for schools containing information about existing resources from government, NGOs and industry concerning nutrition, physical activity and diabetes information. Work sessions on the use of the toolkit have been held at each intervention school for a total of 50 educators.
  • The educator's manual has been revised and reprinted, containing documents and resources on Healthkick project which is compiled into 5 booklets along with dietary guidelines.
  • As part of the action planning to change the environment in the schools, 8 intervention schools have implemented a vegetable garden project.
  • Telephonic survey of 374 parents has been conducted and once the data has been analysed, parent health messages will be developed.


Project details

In South Africa, as in many other developing countries, the increased urbanisation is associated with changes in lifestyle towards a pattern of high intake of unhealthy food and low levels of physical activity.

Unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise constitute some of the most significant risk factors for obesity, which again is strongly associated with the development of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

There is good evidence that childhood obesity very often persists into adulthood. For that reason, promotion of healthy living in children can be expected to have a huge impact with regards to preventing obesity and NCDs in the adult population.

In South Africa, 16% of 13-year olds, and 26% of 19-year olds are overweight or obese. This study seeks to address this problem by promoting healthy lifestyle among school children. 

Approach

The project is divided into 3 phases:

In the first phase, baseline data will be collected to assess the prevalence of risk behaviours, namely unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity and tobacco and alcohol use, in the target population (i.e. school children, parents and teachers). In addition, it will be assessed whether the school environment needs to be improved to support a healthy lifestyle.

In the second phase of the project, a 3-year intervention programme as well as instruments for evaluating the programme will be developed. The programme will primarily focus on promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity among the participants. However, components aimed at increasing awareness on health consequences of tobacco and alcohol use will also be included in the programme.

The programme will be implemented in 4 rural and 4 urban schools in areas with poor income. Primary school teachers will be trained to implement the developed curriculum, and health promotion activities will be conducted targetting children and their parents.

The effectiveness of the intervention programme will be assessed in the third phase. The target group will be re-tested in order to compare the data with baseline data as well as data collected from 8 control schools, where the intervention has not taken place.

If proven effective, the programme will be used to persuade policy makers to implement the programme in government schools.

This page was last updated 1-18-2012 by bisl.wdf
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