A conative educational model for an intervention program in obese youth

Abstract

BackgroundObesity in children has increased in recent years throughout the world and is associated with adverse health consequences. Early interventions, including appropriate pedagogy strategies, are important for a successful intervention program. The aim of this study was to assess changes in body mass index, the ability to perform sport activities, behavior in the classroom and academic performance following one year of a health-wellness intervention program in obese youth.MethodsThe CEMHaVi program included 37 obese children (19 girls and 18 boys). Participants received an intervention program consisting of physical activity and health education. Assessment included body mass index, academic performance, classroom performance and ability to perform sport activities. Paired t tests were used to assess the effects of intervention, and chi square was used to assess inter-action between measures.ResultsFindings of the study suggest significant decrease in Z scores of Body Mass Index and an improvement of academic performance, classroom behavior and the ability to perform sport activities (p < 0.05). Chi square testing showed significant positive inter-actions between body mass index, classroom behavior and academic performance.ConclusionsResults following year one of CEMHaVi showed that a program of physical activity and health education had positive effects on obesity, behavior in the classroom and the ability to perform sport activities in obese adolescents. Significant inter-action in changes between variables was observed. Findings are important for designing intervention models to improve health in obese youth.

Physical activity, diet and other behavioural interventions for improving cognition and school achievement in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight

“…However, our findings indicate beneficial effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes, namely cognitive executive functions, in children with obesity or overweight. Cognitive executive functions have been associated with the ability to control food intake (Bartholdy 2016; Jansen 2015) and engagement in health behaviour (Hall 2014). Child and adolescent weight management programmes in a clinical setting should include measurements of cognitive outcomes for two reasons.…”

“…Research indicates that children with obesity show higher impulsivity and inattention and lower reward sensitivity, self-regulation and cognitive flexibility compared with their healthy-weight peers. These neurocognitive correlates were associated with uncontrolled food intake and physical activity behaviour, and thus are assumed to predict weight gain (Francis 2009; Hall 2014; Kulendran 2014; Levitan 2015; Nederkoorn 2006; Smith 2011) or reduction of weight status after an obesity treatment intervention (Naar-King 2016; Nederkoorn 2007). Lifestyle interventions for weight management might positively impact the neurocognitive factors required for control of food intake.…”

Strategies in intervention programmes for obese youth: implication of the age and the type of physical activities

“…Conative curriculum is organized into five stages, from novice (1) to expert (5) to assess and observe the progress in the performance of sport (Vanhelst et al, 2012). Ability to perform sport activities was assessed using scales developed for team sports, for example soccer, handball, basketball, and net sports, for example tennis, badminton, volleyball.…”

“…Ability to perform sport activities was assessed using scales developed for team sports, for example soccer, handball, basketball, and net sports, for example tennis, badminton, volleyball. The five levels in conative curriculum are described elsewhere (Vanhelst et al, 2012).…”

Combining first- and third-person data in Sports Sciences in France: analysis of an original methodology

“…Conversely, other confrontations are made on an a-theoretical mode. This is the case with Récopé (2006), Seifert et al, (2014), Martel (2011), Vanhelst, Béghin, Bui-Xuân and Mikulovic (2012), who, even though noting deep convergences between firstand third-person data do not commit themselves to theorize this joint analysis.…”