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  • Clean_-_Manuscript_Dec_Final_Happy_Homework_Manuscript_with_author_details

    Accepted author manuscript, 594 KB, PDF document

    Embargo ends: 14/01/25

DOI

  • Samantha Donnelly
    University of the West of Scotland
  • Duncan Buchanan
    University of the West of Scotland
  • Gillian McLellan
    University of the West of Scotland
  • Ross Roberts
  • Rosie Arthur
    University of the West of Scotland
We aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of Happy Homework (HH); an 8-week home-focussed intervention, with the purpose of encouraging children’s positive dietary behaviours and engagement in positive physical activity (PA) and sleep behaviours. We randomised four Scottish schools (n = 71 participants; 5 classrooms) to either the HH intervention (n = 2) or usual curriculum control group (n = 2). HH consisted of movement and dietary-focused parent and child tasks. Primary outcome measures were intervention feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy. Secondary outcomes were objectively measured PA via ActiGraph GT3X+, sedentary behaviours (SBs) and sleep duration via activPAL4™ accelerometers and dietary behaviours, fruit and vegetable consumption and screen-time via questionnaires. After controlling for pre-test levels, post intervention stepping time and sleep duration were significantly greater for the HH group in comparison to the control group. The HH group reported eating more fruit and vegetables at post-test than the control group. Participants also reported the intervention to be enjoyable and motivating. These findings provide promising evidence that given a greater sample size, better retention and the prioritisation of health and wellbeing homework, HH could enhance children’s health and wellbeing.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1787-1800
JournalJournal of Sports Sciences
Volume41
Issue number19
Early online date14 Jan 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
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