Academic literature on the topic 'Spotswood Primary School (N.Z.)'

Background: Primary school period is a dynamic and growing period. So, school nutrition intervention promotes children’s nutritional status, thereby improving the overall health status of a country as they are the nation's biggest investment. The objective of this study is to compare the nutritional status based on anthropometry among primary school children with and without a school feeding program. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study using simple random sampling to select 194 primary school children aged 6-13 years enrolled in two primary schools with (N=97) and without (N=97) school nutrition intervention in two upazilas in Rajbari district, Bangladesh. Data were collected from respondents with the assistance of guardians and teachers. Anthropometric data (height, weight, MUAC, body mass index for age Z score, height for age Z score, weight for age Z score,) were measured by anthro-plus software and overall data were analyzed by SPSS version 25. Results: Of the total 194 respondents, the prevalence of stunting 9.3%, underweight 20.8%, thinness 27.8%, overweight 8.2%, and obesity 1.5% were observed. The prevalence of stunting 5.2%, underweight 21%, thinness 33%, and overweight 2.1% were found among the SFP group whereas 13.4% stunting, 20.5% underweight, 22.7% thinness, 14.4% overweight, and 3.1% obesity were found among without SFP group. The mean BMI-for-age Z scores were significantly lower (p=0.001) in the SFP group than in without SFP group. Socio-demographic characteristics may overrule this effect. Conclusions: Findings suggest that determining the dietary pattern, and clinical signs and improving socio-demographic conditions may improve the nutritional status of the children with the school feeding program.

The article presents preliminary results of research conducted during English language classes, with the case study method, among pupils with intellectual disability attending a primary special needs school. The research was meant to help answer the questions related to the possibility of incorporating foreign language teaching in the comprehensive process of their rehabilitation, and especially the development of individual cognitive skills as well as the mother tongue command. The article emphasizes the advantages of research based on a case study which enables the researcher to apply the principle of individualization and the treatment of every pupil as a subject no matter what the developmental barriers may be.

ObjectivesCardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is independently associated with health and academic attainment in childhood and adolescence. Yet overweight/obesity remains the focus in public health policy. Surveillance of body mass index (BMI) and CRF considering school deprivation levels is limited. Therefore, we examined this in English primary schools.MethodsParticipants (n=409) were students (9–10 years) from 13 schools. BMI and CRF (20 m shuttle run) were measured at three time points across the academic year and a fourth after summer recess.ResultsBMI z-scores significantly decreased (p=0.015) from autumn (z=0.336 (95% CI 0.212 to 0.460)) to spring (z=0.252 (95% CI 0.132 to 0.371)), and then significantly increased (p=0.010) to summer (z=0.327 (95% CI 0.207 to 0.447)). CRF significantly increased (p<0.001) from autumn (z=0.091 (95% CI −0.014 to 0.196)) to spring (z=0.492 (95% CI 0.367 to 0.616)), no change (p=0.308) into summer (z=0.411 (95% CI 0.294 to 0.528)) and a significant decrease (p<0.001) into the following autumn term (z=0.125 (95% CI 0.021 to 0.230)). BMI was unaffected by deprivation; however, pupils from the most deprived areas saw significantly greater reductions in CRF compared with pupils from affluent areas. No time, or deprivation level, by sex interactions were found.ConclusionSignificant reductions in children’s CRF occurred over the summer recess and were greater among children from schools in the most deprived areas. This may help inform future research into interventions targeting physical activity of schoolchildren, particularly over the summer recess.

The article considers topical issues of the current state of readiness of future primary school teachers to implement interactive learning technologies in professional activities at the present stage of reforming the education system, which is interpreted as: readiness to develop plans and goals, development of professional qualities of teachers, expanding the mobilization of psychological point of view, increasing the level of independence and responsibility to society. The essence of the concept of "readiness" for future primary school teachers is revealed. The place of such scientists is shown: A. Aleksyuk, N. Boltenkov, V. Bondar, O. Voloshenko, S. Garkusha, M. Dyachenko, I. Zyazyuna, N. Kichuk, O. Kiyashko, L. Krasyuk, N. Kuzmina, Z. Kurland, I. Kushakova, A. Linenko, O. Moroz, S. Nikitchina, S. Sysoeva, V. Slastyonina, S. Smirnova, L. Khomich, V. Chaika, I. Shaposhnikova, O. Yaroshenko, who studied the problems readiness of teachers in professional activity. The essence of the concept of readiness as a set of properties and qualities of the teacher's personality, which determines the adaptation of a graduate of a higher education institution to the conditions of pedagogical work, is revealed. The development of research of scientists of readiness of primary school teachers for introduction of technologies of interactive training in professional activity is shown. The study analyzes the results of a survey of primary school teachers in Lviv, Lviv and Volyn regions on the use of interactive learning technologies. The level of use of interactive exercises at different stages of the lesson is shown, the sufficient level of use of technologies of interactive training of teachers of SZSh№ 68, Lviv. The best level of equipment of the technical base of schools in the conditions of development of the new Ukrainian school is determined. The place of a modern specialist who promotes the expansion of a positive level of learning with a willingness to implement technologies of interactive learning in professional activities is described.

Background: The current study investigated the moderating role of the school context on the effects of a Dutch health promoting school initiative on children’s health and health behaviors. Methods: The study used a mixed-methods design. The school context (n = 4) was assessed by the characteristics of the school population, teacher’s health-promoting (HP) practices, implementers’ perceived barriers, school’s HP elements, and dominating organizational issues. Outcomes included objectively assessed BMI z-scores and physical activity (PA), and parent and child-reported dietary intake. Analyses included linear mixed models (four intervention schools versus four control schools), and qualitative comparisons between intervention schools with similar HP changes. Results: Effects on outcomes varied considerably across schools (e.g., range in effect size on light PA of 0.01–0.26). Potentially moderating contextual aspects were the child’s socioeconomic background and baseline health behaviors; practices and perceived barriers of employees; and organizational issues at a school level. Conclusions: Similar HP changes lead to different outcomes across schools due to differences in the school context. The adoption of a complex adaptive systems perspective contributes to a better understanding of the variation in effects and it can provide insight on which contextual aspects to focus on or intervene in to optimize the effects of HP initiatives.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate an association between dental caries status and anthropometric measures in primary school children. Methods and Materials: An analytical cross-sectional study (n = 376) was conducted among primary school children (age range = 6–9 years) registered in private schools. Non-clinical data was gathered from parents of participating children through a self-administered structured questionnaire as well as from the children through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Clinical data included the examination of dental caries using dmft/DMFT index and anthropometric measures including calculated z-scores of height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), BMI-for-age (BAZ), and physical examination. Inferential statistics included Kruskal Wallis and linear regression for univariate and multivariate analysis respectively. Results: The proportion of dental caries in primary and secondary dentition was 67.6% and 8.2% respectively. A significant association was observed between dental caries status and HAZ, WAZ, and BAZ (p < 0.001). An inverse relation was found between low, medium, and high dental caries categories and anthropometric measures. Conclusions: In the primary dentition, dental caries were significantly and inversely related to weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age. Hence, it can be concluded that among the low-income population dental caries is associated with lower anthropometric outcomes in children and therefore caries management should be considered an approach impacting overall health and quality of life.

ObjectiveWe aimed to examine the association between food and physical activity environments in primary schools and child anthropometric, healthy eating and physical activity measures.DesignObservational longitudinal study using data from a childhood obesity prevention trial.SettingState primary schools in the West Midlands region, UK.Participants1392 pupils who participated in the WAVES (West Midlands ActiVe lifestyle and healthy Eating in School children) childhood obesity prevention trial (2011–2015).Primary and secondary outcome measuresSchool environment (exposure) was categorised according to questionnaire responses indicating their support for healthy eating and/or physical activity. Child outcome measures, undertaken at three time points (ages 5–6, 7–8 and 8–9 years), included body mass index z-scores, dietary intake (using a 24-hour food ticklist) and physical activity (using an Actiheart monitor over 5 days). Associations between school food and physical activity environment categories and outcomes were explored through multilevel models.ResultsData were available for 1304 children (94% of the study sample). At age 8–9 years, children in 10 schools with healthy eating and physical activity-supportive environments had a higher physical activity energy expenditure than those in 22 schools with less supportive healthy eating/physical activity environments (mean difference=5.3 kJ/kg body weight/24 hours; p=0.05). Children in schools with supportive physical activity environments (n=8) had a lower body mass index z-score than those in schools with less supportive healthy eating/physical activity environments (n=22; mean difference=−0.17, p=0.02). School food and physical activity promoting environments were not significantly associated with dietary outcomes.ConclusionsSchool environments that support healthy food and physical activity behaviours may positively influence physical activity and childhood obesity.Trial registration numberISRCTN97000586.

BackgroundSystematic reviews suggest that school-based interventions can be effective in preventing childhood obesity, but better-designed trials are needed that consider costs, process, equity, potential harms and longer-term outcomes.ObjectiveTo assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the WAVES (West Midlands ActiVe lifestyle and healthy Eating in School children) study intervention, compared with usual practice, in preventing obesity among primary school children.DesignA cluster randomised controlled trial, split across two groups, which were randomised using a blocked balancing algorithm. Schools/participants could not be blinded to trial arm. Measurement staff were blind to allocation arm as far as possible.SettingPrimary schools, West Midlands, UK.ParticipantsSchools within a 35-mile radius of the study centre and all year 1 pupils (aged 5–6 years) were eligible. Schools with a higher proportion of pupils from minority ethnic populations were oversampled to enable subgroup analyses.InterventionsThe 12-month intervention encouraged healthy eating/physical activity (PA) by (1) helping teachers to provide 30 minutes of additional daily PA, (2) promoting ‘Villa Vitality’ (interactive healthy lifestyles learning, in an inspirational setting), (3) running school-based healthy cooking skills/education workshops for parents and children and (4) highlighting information to families with regard to local PA opportunities.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcomes were the difference in body mass index z-scores (BMI-zs) between arms (adjusted for baseline body mass index) at 3 and 18 months post intervention (clinical outcome), and cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) (cost-effectiveness outcome). The secondary outcomes were further anthropometric, dietary, PA and psychological measurements, and the difference in BMI-z between arms at 27 months post intervention in a subset of schools.ResultsTwo groups of schools were randomised: 27 in 2011 (n = 650 pupils) [group 1 (G1)] and another 27 in 2012 (n = 817 pupils) [group 2 (G2)]. Primary outcome data were available at first follow-up (n = 1249 pupils) and second follow-up (n = 1145 pupils) from 53 schools. The mean difference (MD) in BMI-z between the control and intervention arms was –0.075 [95% confidence interval (CI) –0.183 to 0.033] and –0.027 (95% CI –0.137 to 0.083) at 3 and 18 months post intervention, respectively. The main analyses showed no evidence of between-arm differences for any secondary outcomes. Third follow-up included data on 467 pupils from 27 G1 schools, and showed a statistically significant difference in BMI-z (MD –0.20, 95% CI –0.40 to –0.01). The mean cost of the intervention was £266.35 per consented child (£155.53 per child receiving the intervention). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio associated with the base case was £46,083 per QALY (best case £26,804 per QALY), suggesting that the intervention was not cost-effective.LimitationsThe presence of baseline primary outcome imbalance between the arms, and interschool variation in fidelity of intervention delivery.ConclusionsThe primary analyses show no evidence of clinical effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of the WAVES study intervention. A post hoc analysis, driven by findings at third follow-up, suggests a possible intervention effect, which could have been attenuated by baseline imbalances. There was no evidence of an intervention effect on measures of diet or PA and no evidence of harm.Future workA realist evidence synthesis could provide insights into contextual factors and strategies for future interventions. School-based interventions need to be integrated within a wider societal framework and supported by upstream interventions.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN97000586.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full inHealth Technology Assessment; Vol. 22, No. 8. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Background: The associations of objectively evaluated moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time between primary school children and their fathers or mothers have not been fully understood. Therefore, we tested the associations in children. Methods: The participants were first to sixth grade boys (n = 166, 9.4 ± 1.6 years) and girls (n = 202, 9.4 ± 1.6 years) and their parents (fathers, n = 123 and mothers, n = 321). MVPA and sedentary time were measured using triaxial accelerometry. The relationship between parental support which was assessed by self-reported questionnaire and children’s MVPA was also examined. Results: MVPA in the children was positively correlated with maternal MVPA after adjustment for the children’s gender, grade, body mass index z-score, paternal or maternal age, and school (p < 0.001). However, paternal or maternal sedentary time and paternal MVPA showed no significant association with sedentary time or MVPA in children. On the other hand, the percentage of MVPA in children who spent more time with their mothers on weekends was significantly lower than those who spent less time (p = 0.034). Children whose mothers watched their sports events had a significantly higher percentage of MVPA than those whose mothers did not watch these events (p = 0.008). There were no associations between children’s MVPA and paternal support. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate the significance of maternal MVPA and support.

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate caregiver type as a potential moderating effect in the relationship between feeding style and weight status among Chinese pre-school children.DesignCross-sectional data collected with the Caregiver’s Feeding Style Questionnaire (CFSQ), anthropometric data, childcare and sociodemographic information.SettingShenyang, China.SubjectsCaregiver–child dyads (n 857).ResultsAfter controlling for confounders, authoritarian feeding style was associated with a 0·30 lower BMI Z-score. Fathers as primary caregivers were related to lower BMI Z-score (β=−0·66), while grandparents as main caregivers were associated with higher BMI Z-score (β=0·66) after adjusting for covariates. Mothers buffered the relationship between authoritarian (β=0·50, 95 % CI 0·04, 0·95) or indulgent (β=−0·60, 95 % CI −1·06, −0·14) feeding styles and BMI Z-score. Grandparents strengthened the trend that indulgent feeding style was related to higher BMI Z-score (β=0·54, 95 % CI 0·01, 1·08).ConclusionsThe results of independent and interactive effects of specific feeding styles and caregiver types had different influences on child BMI Z-scores. Longitudinal investigations are needed to evaluate the effect of fathers’ and grandparents’ feeding on their children’s nutrition and weight status.

Considering the importance of the family in bringing up and preparing a child for school education, there is a need for research to learn about the values and skills shaped in the family home that will help the child in a successful school start and in adapting to the classroom environment. The theoretical considerations contained in the article on the upbringing of a child in the family and preparation for school were obtained on the basis of a literature review on the subject. Empirical data from the research was obtained using the diagnostic survey method using a proprietary research tool with a four-point Likert scale, i.e. a survey addressed to parents of first-grade pupils attending several primary schools in the Biała Podlaska poviat (N = 91). The conducted research shows that in some children there were observed difficulties in establishing contacts, which can be assumed as a consequence of learning in a remote or hybrid form. Most parents are aware that they are responsible for bringing up a child and preparing him/ her for the role of a pupil.