Research Projects

Hunter and Illawarra Kids Challenge Using Parent Support (HIKCUPS)

HICKUPS is a community-based randomised controlled trial that aims to evaluate and compare in overweight children the effectiveness of the following interventions:

  1. a child-centred physical activity skill development program;
  2. a parent-centred dietary modification program; and
  3. a combination of 1 and 2.

158 families participated in the study. The following outcomes are being measured at baseline, 6-, 12-, and 24-months: adiposity, metabolic profile, physical activity, sedentariness, food habits and eating behaviours, movement skills, self-esteem, quality of life and an activity of daily living. We are currently collecting 24-month data. Overwhelming, parents have enjoyed the program and found it helpful.

"A great program, changed our lives for the better, learnt a lot that we would have not known."
"Fantastic and would recommend it."
"Gained lots of information that will benefit our whole family."
"[The program] has made a huge difference to our lives".

This project is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

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Time for Everything

Time for Everything is an online educational program for parents with preschool children that are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. It aims to overcome many of the barriers (e.g. child minding, lack of time) associated with traditional face-to-face programs. The program is based on the behavioural change model, where by small significant changes are implemented through goal setting. The online program is currently being developed. In the late 2007, the program’s usability, functionality, feasibility and acceptability will be assessed.

This project is funded by the Telstra Community Development Foundation.

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A Naturalistic Inquiry into the Day-to-Day Lives of Obese Children

The purpose of this study is to explain the day-to-day life of an obese child and investigate the behaviour settings inhabited by obese children and their behaviours in these everyday settings. In particular, it aims to contribute to the field’s theoretical base by documenting potential clusters of behaviours, knowledge, and attitudes which characterise the everyday lives of obese children.

Despite the increasing amount of research conducted in the area of childhood obesity (Evans, Finkelstein, Kamerow & Renaud, 2005), the prevalence of obesity among young people in Australia continues to rise (Booth et al., 2006). This suggests that multiple factors make up the complex culture of obesity (Davison & Birch, 2001). In order to find a valid form of ‘truth’ about the nature of childhood obesity, spending prolonged periods of time immersed in settings where these clusters of behaviours are not only observable but are shaped and maintained would be beneficial. Only a naturalistic inquiry will paint such a picture of childhood obesity in Australian society.

Six obese children and their families are currently taking part in this study. Data have been collected through participant observation, in which these children were observed from the time they awoke in the morning until they went to sleep at night for six days (three days in summer and three days in winter). The researcher spent time in each family’s home, school environment and other behaviour settings, such as the beach, children’s birthday parties, friend’s houses and local cafes. Field notes were taken and the child was asked to wear a digital recorder in order to capture the exact conversations taking place. Digital photographs were also taken and the researcher used casual conversations with family members and teachers to gain further information. The data will be analysed to determine the patterns of social, cognitive, behavioural, and ecological factors, forces, influences and messages that are experienced by obese children in the day-to-day ebb and flow of their lives.

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Design and Evaluation of a Fundamental Movement Skills Program Suitable for Prior to School Settings

This project aims to work with a local long day care provider (Illawarra Children’s Services) and workers from one long day care centre to implement an evidence-based physical activity program among young children (2-5 years). A further aim is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of this program in promoting physical activity and motor development among the children. We hypothesise that a physical activity intervention, delivered through a long day care centre will be a feasible, acceptable, and potentially efficacious approach to promoting physical activity among pre-school-aged children. This project will provide evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of the Genesis Program. Data from this study will lead to submission to either the UOW Research Partnerships Scheme (with Illawarra Children’s Services as the partner) or another external scheme (e.g., Barnardos) for a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) in 2008.  

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An experimental study of magazine exposure among Year 4 students

An experimental study of magazine exposure among Year 4 students is one component of a four-part study ‘Under the radar’ examining food promotions in popular Australian children’s magazines. The study aims to assess the feasibility, and potential efficacy of immediate exposure to food advertising and promotions on food preferences and purchasing behaviours among primary-school-aged children.

The focus of this study is childhood obesity and the effect the media has on food choices made by children. Through analysing the relationship between food advertising and promotions in popular Australian children’s magazines and the effect it has on children’s attitudes and knowledge towards the advertised foods, it is hoped that an environmental determinant for childhood overweight and obesity can be minimised.

To implement this study, one primary school within the Illawarra region will be recruited to participate in a 2-hour experimental study among Year 4 students. Treatment groups will be determined, magazines read, and snack foods chosen by the children. The data will be evaluated through overt observation, the creation of an in-class store, and a post-intervention survey.

It is anticipated that the children reading magazines with a large number of food advertisements will show a more positive attitude and favourable behaviour towards the advertised foods compared with the group who reads magazines containing no, or minimal food advertisements.

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The FILA Program

The FILA (Fitness Improvement, Lifestyle Awareness) program was developed to address many of the shortcomings in the current male adolescent overweight and obesity literature. It is a 16-week multi-faceted secondary school-based intervention, focusing on: increasing cardio-respiratory fitness, physical activity, healthy eating and reducing small screen recreation through behaviour modification techniques. The theoretical frameworks underpinning the FILA program are the Social Cognitive and Organisational Development theories. The FILA feasibility trial was implemented in 2006 in an Independent boys school. The results were highly promising, demonstrating the feasibility, acceptability and potential efficacy of implementing a multi-faceted program within the school curriculum to improve the cardio-respiratory fitness and prevent excess weight gain in adolescent males. Thus a pilot RCT is currently being conducted.

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Engaging Adolescent Girls in School Sport: A pilot RCT

This study was designed to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a school-based physical activity program delivered during programmed school sport time and designed to meet the needs and interests of the participants as well as function effectively within the constraints of the school environment among adolescent girls. 38 adolescent girls (Year 11) were recruited to participate in the program as either intervention (n=21) or control group (n=17) participants. The intervention program aimed at increasing physical activity by improving enjoyment, physical self-perception and social support. Baseline and post-test (10 weeks) assessments included enjoyment of physical activity, physical self-perception, social support, and physical activity (accelerometers). The study also contained qualitative data collection to enrich the quantitative data and allow for greater understanding of the needs and wants of adolescent girls with regard to their school sport programs. This qualitative data was collected through focus group interviews, observations, and teacher/student commentary. 

The results were reported in terms of comparison between intervention and control groups based on the analysis of data from each of the collection instruments. Results will also contain a discussion on the formative qualitative data. This study demonstrated that the physical activity intervention is feasible, acceptable, and potentially efficacious for adolescent girls and schools in which they are conducted in. Data has demonstrated the intervention program was successful in improving enjoyment of physical activity, decreasing the decline in physical activity, and improving certain sub domains of physical self-perception.Data also alluded to several major barriers confronting adolescent girls’ participation in school sport. Some of these include teacher attitudes and support, activities and programming, purpose and distinction, and student input.

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The Development of Physical Activity Recommendations for Children Under 5 Years of Age

The purpose of this project is to prepare a discussion document on health-promoting physical activity for children under 5 years of age which will inform decision making with regard to Australian Government programs and policy to promote and advocate physical activity among young children. Based on this information, a draft set of physical activity recommendations  (frequency, intensity, time, type) will be developed to support the policy.

This project will involve:
1. Developing a discussion paper to inform the development of Australian Government policy in relation to health-promoting physical activity for children under five years of age.
2. Developing a draft set of recommendations on health-promoting physical activity levels (frequency, intensity, time and type), including physical inactivity or sedentary behaviours, to support the policy.

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Physical Activity in Linguistically Diverse Communities (PALDC) Project

This project is based on data from the Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) 2004. These data indicate that:

This project will take a whole-school action learning approach. This will involve exploring the PDHPE curriculum and pedagogy, school policies and management practices and school-community partnerships (critical in this instance). The project will use an action research model using school-based teams to explore these issues. Each school will develop their own action plan according to school and community needs. Schools nominate a team of 5 teachers (one per stage plus an executive) to be involved in the project. School teams will develop and implement an action plan for initiating a sustainable change in physical activity and nutrition programs in the school context.

Schools teams will participate in workshops supported by personnel from the Curriculum K-12 Directorate. This includes a one-day planning workshop in Term 2 as an introduction to the program and a two-day workshop in Term 3 for schools to develop an action plan and program that meets the needs of the students at your school. An additional final sharing workshop will be held to provide an opportunity for schools to share the progress of the program in their school towards the end of the project.

School teams will work as part of a cluster group consisting of 4 schools on this project. This will provide opportunities for schools to network and share ideas and to work towards the following goals:

This project will also be a first in terms of the focus on physical activity and multicultural groups. Other stakeholders include NSW Health, NSW DET, and the NSW Centre for Overweight and Obesity.

The implementation plan for this project will be based on the Quality Teaching and Learning Materials (QTLM) model developed by the NSW Department of Education and Training. QTLM is a process for effecting school change based on a model of action research. The QTLM model allows school teams to work towards significant whole school change by building a supportive leadership team to facilitate identified change.

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Correlates of objectively measured physical activity among children and adolescents

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of constructs of Competence Motivation Theory (CMT) to participation in objectively measured physical activity among children and adolescents in Years 5-8.

A cross-sectional study of 288 students from four primary and four high schools in Sydney, NSW. Students completed questionnaires assessing their enjoyment of physical activity, perceived physical competence, and social support (family and peer) for physical activity. Actual competence was assessed by videotape of students’ performance on 12 fundamental movement skills. Time spent in moderate physical activity (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) was objectively measured using the MTI Actigraph. Results: For primary school boys, no constructs of CMT predicted MPA and actual competence was the only predictor of VPA. For primary school girls, family support and peer support were predictors of MPA and actual competence was a predictor of VPA. For high school boys and girls, no constructs of CMT predicted either MPA or VPA. Interestingly, for primary and high school boys and for high school girls all constructs of CMT (actual competence, perceived competence, family support, and peer support) were significantly related to enjoyment of physical activity. For primary school girls, only actual and perceived competence were related to enjoyment of physical activity.

These findings are slightly different to prior studies which have examined the relationships between constructs of CMT and self-reported physical activity. It suggests that CMT may have limited empirical support among older children and adolescents and that other factors external to CMT may be more important mediators of objectively measured physical activity in these age groups.

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Evaluation of the Gold Medal Fitness Program

The Gold Medal Fitness Program was funded by the NSW Department of Education and Training (NSW DET) and is a collaboration between the NSW DET and the NSW Institute of Sport. The purpose of the study was to measure the impact of the Gold Medal Fitness Program on fundamental movement skills, self-esteem, physical activity, and sedentary behaviours among NSW Department of Education and Training primary school children. The study also sought to evaluate the role the professional development program, delivered as part of the Gold Medal Fitness Program, played in increasing teachers’ understanding of the PDHPE curriculum, fundamental movement skills, and the change process in schools and any subsequent impact on the school environment. Finally, the study documented the value of the NSWIS athletes who were allocated to each school in the Gold Medal Fitness 
Program.

Twenty primary schools were selected by the NSW Department of Education and Training from four districts. Within each district, two or three schools were allocated to either intervention or control group (total or 10 schools in each group). Two classes were randomly selected from each of Years K, 2, 4, and 6. Sixteen primary school teachers were seconded to the project and were supported by two project officers. The field teams visited schools in groups of four or five to administer the tests. Students in all years were assessed for height and weight and four fundamental movement skills (Year K: balance, run, vertical jump, and catch; Year 2: leap, kick, two-hand strike, and dodge; Year 4: hop, skip, side gallop, and overarm throw; Year 6: run, overarm throw, catch, and two-hand strike). Students in Years 4 and 6 also provided demographic and perceived physical competence information and Year 6 students completed a further physical activity questionnaire.

Parents in all years provided information on their child’s movement competence and Year K, 2, and 4 parents also proxy-reported reported their child’s physical activity and sedentary recreation habits. Parents of children in intervention schools reported their perceptions of the impact of the Gold Medal Fitness Program and the NSWIS athletes. In addition, teachers involved in the Gold Medal Fitness Program were asked to provide information on the effect of the program on the change process in schools, PDHPE curriculum, and fundamental movement skills and on the school environment and climate through a questionnaire, focus group interviews, and direct observation.

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Promoting Actual Competence, Perceived Competence, Enjoyment of and Participation in Physical Activity Among Adolescents: The Sport for Fun Feasibility Trial

Physical activity during adolescents can provide many important health benefits. A substantial minority of adolescents in New South Wales are not meeting physical activity recommendations. The Sport 4 Fun program was developed to address the gap in current physical activity literature. The objective was to test the feasibility, acceptability and potential efficacy of a school-based program on actual and perceived physical competence, enjoyment of and participation in physical activity. The program was a ten-week feasibility trial (single group pre- post-intervention), involving ten Year-7 students, from a Systemic Catholic High School in the Macarthur Region of New South Wales. Based on Competence Motivation Theory and Social Cognitive Theory, the intervention comprised a theoretical and practical component. The theoretical component was held during ‘homeroom’ time three mornings a week for 15 minutes, focusing on goal setting and behaviour modification strategies. The practical component was held in school sport time for ninety minutes each week, focusing on increasing enjoyment, actual and perceived physical competence of participants. “Get skilled, Get active” fundamental movement skills checklists (NSW Dept, Education & Training); Self-perception Profile for Children (Harter, 1982); PACES Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (Motl et al, 2001) and MTI Actigraphs were used to assess actual competence, perceived competence, enjoyment of, and participation in physical activity, respectively. Anthropometry measures of height, weight and waist circumference were also taken. Results for the ten students (mean age 12.1y, 90% female) were completed for both pre- and post-test measurements for all variables. Paired samples t-tests found statistically significant improvements from pre- to post-test for four of the five fundamental movement skills, and perceived competence, and a trend towards significance for enjoyment of physical activity. In addition, participants reported high levels of enjoyment and satisfaction with sessions. This study confirmed the feasibility, acceptability and potential efficacy of a school-based physical activity program to increase actual and perceived physical competence and a trend to an increase in enjoyment of physical activity.

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