Evaluation of the Good Start Program: a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for Maori and Pacific Islander children living in Queensland, Australia
Abstract Background Reducing the prevalence of obesity and chronic disease are important priorities. Maori and Pacific Islander communities living in Australia have higher rates of obesity and chronic disease than the wider Australian population. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Go...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3977-x |
| _version_ | 1818336245683585024 |
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| author | Seema Mihrshahi Lisa Vaughan Nicola Fa’avale Shreenika De Silva Weliange Inez Manu-Sione Lisa Schubert |
| author_facet | Seema Mihrshahi Lisa Vaughan Nicola Fa’avale Shreenika De Silva Weliange Inez Manu-Sione Lisa Schubert |
| author_sort | Seema Mihrshahi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Reducing the prevalence of obesity and chronic disease are important priorities. Maori and Pacific Islander communities living in Australia have higher rates of obesity and chronic disease than the wider Australian population. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Good Start program, which aims to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices related to healthy eating and physical activity amongst Maori and Pacific Islander communities living in Queensland. Methods The intervention was delivered to children aged 6–19 years (N = 375) in schools by multicultural health workers. Class activities focused on one message each term related to healthy eating and physical activity using methods such as cooking sessions and cultural dance. The evaluation approach was a quantitative uncontrolled pre-post design. Data were collected each term pre- and post-intervention using a short questionnaire. Results There were significant increases in knowledge of correct servings of fruit and vegetables, knowledge of sugar and caffeine content of common sugar-sweetened drinks, recognition of the consequences of marketing and upsizing, and the importance of controlling portion size (all P < 0.05). There was also increases in knowledge of physical activity recommendations (P < 0.001), as well as the importance of physical activity for preventing heart disease (P < 0.001) and improving self-esteem (P < 0.001). In terms of attitudes, there were significant improvements in some attitudes to vegetables (P = 0.02), and sugar-sweetened drinks (P < 0.05). In terms of practices and behaviours, although the reported intake of vegetables increased significantly (P < 0.001), the proportion of children eating discretionary foods regularly did not change significantly, suggesting that modifying the program with an increased emphasis on reducing intake of junk food may be beneficial. Conclusion The study has shown that the Good Start Program was effective in engaging children from Maori and Pacific Island backgrounds and in improving knowledge, and some attitudes and practices, related to healthy eating and physical activity. The evaluation contributes valuable information about components and impacts of this type of intervention, and considerations relevant to this population in order to successfully change behaviours and reduce the burden of chronic disease. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T14:36:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-58d20381249c48b2867355a4c0a42ae3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T14:36:16Z |
| publishDate | 2017-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-58d20381249c48b2867355a4c0a42ae32022-12-21T23:41:43ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582017-01-0117111010.1186/s12889-016-3977-xEvaluation of the Good Start Program: a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for Maori and Pacific Islander children living in Queensland, AustraliaSeema Mihrshahi0Lisa Vaughan1Nicola Fa’avale2Shreenika De Silva Weliange3Inez Manu-Sione4Lisa Schubert5Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of QueenslandFaculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of QueenslandFaculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of QueenslandFaculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of QueenslandGood Start Program, Child and Youth Community Health Service, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health ServiceFaculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of QueenslandAbstract Background Reducing the prevalence of obesity and chronic disease are important priorities. Maori and Pacific Islander communities living in Australia have higher rates of obesity and chronic disease than the wider Australian population. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Good Start program, which aims to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices related to healthy eating and physical activity amongst Maori and Pacific Islander communities living in Queensland. Methods The intervention was delivered to children aged 6–19 years (N = 375) in schools by multicultural health workers. Class activities focused on one message each term related to healthy eating and physical activity using methods such as cooking sessions and cultural dance. The evaluation approach was a quantitative uncontrolled pre-post design. Data were collected each term pre- and post-intervention using a short questionnaire. Results There were significant increases in knowledge of correct servings of fruit and vegetables, knowledge of sugar and caffeine content of common sugar-sweetened drinks, recognition of the consequences of marketing and upsizing, and the importance of controlling portion size (all P < 0.05). There was also increases in knowledge of physical activity recommendations (P < 0.001), as well as the importance of physical activity for preventing heart disease (P < 0.001) and improving self-esteem (P < 0.001). In terms of attitudes, there were significant improvements in some attitudes to vegetables (P = 0.02), and sugar-sweetened drinks (P < 0.05). In terms of practices and behaviours, although the reported intake of vegetables increased significantly (P < 0.001), the proportion of children eating discretionary foods regularly did not change significantly, suggesting that modifying the program with an increased emphasis on reducing intake of junk food may be beneficial. Conclusion The study has shown that the Good Start Program was effective in engaging children from Maori and Pacific Island backgrounds and in improving knowledge, and some attitudes and practices, related to healthy eating and physical activity. The evaluation contributes valuable information about components and impacts of this type of intervention, and considerations relevant to this population in order to successfully change behaviours and reduce the burden of chronic disease.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3977-xEvaluationMaori and Pacific IslanderInterventions to reduce obesityObesityChildrenHealthy eating |
| spellingShingle | Seema Mihrshahi Lisa Vaughan Nicola Fa’avale Shreenika De Silva Weliange Inez Manu-Sione Lisa Schubert Evaluation of the Good Start Program: a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for Maori and Pacific Islander children living in Queensland, Australia BMC Public Health Evaluation Maori and Pacific Islander Interventions to reduce obesity Obesity Children Healthy eating |
| title | Evaluation of the Good Start Program: a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for Maori and Pacific Islander children living in Queensland, Australia |
| title_full | Evaluation of the Good Start Program: a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for Maori and Pacific Islander children living in Queensland, Australia |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of the Good Start Program: a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for Maori and Pacific Islander children living in Queensland, Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of the Good Start Program: a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for Maori and Pacific Islander children living in Queensland, Australia |
| title_short | Evaluation of the Good Start Program: a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for Maori and Pacific Islander children living in Queensland, Australia |
| title_sort | evaluation of the good start program a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for maori and pacific islander children living in queensland australia |
| topic | Evaluation Maori and Pacific Islander Interventions to reduce obesity Obesity Children Healthy eating |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3977-x |
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