11 For Health: Popularity And Effects On Well-being And Health Knowledge In 10-12-yr-old Faroese School Children

Abstract

In the Faroe Islands, as globally, a large fraction of the population fails to follow the guidelines for maintaining a healthy lifestyle concerning physical activity, nutrition, hygiene, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, resulting in an elevated risk of developing non-communicable diseases and poor well-being. PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the popularity and effects on well-being and health knowledge of the “11 for Health program for Europe” for 10-12-year-old Faroese children. METHODS: We applied a cluster randomized controlled trial, including a total of 19 school clusters, randomized into intervention schools (IG, n = 12) and control schools (CG, n = 7). A total of 261 children (137 boys, 124 girls) participated. IG completed the 11-week program, consisting of 2x45 min per week with football drills, small-sided games, and health education. CG continued their regular teaching. Pre and post-intervention, the participants completed a shortened version of the multidimensional well-being questionnaire KIDSCREEN-27 and a 34-item health knowledge questionnaire. RESULTS: The program received a high score for enjoyment, with similarly high scores for girls and boys (3.68 ± 1.23 and 3.84 ± 1.17, respectively, on a 1-5 scale). Between-group differences (P < 0.05) were observed in change score for physical well-being and overall peers and social support in favor of IG compared to CG, as well as for physical well-being in IG girls compared to CG girls. Between-group differences in change score for overall health knowledge (11.8%, p < 0.001) was observed in favor of IG, as well as for play football (8.9%, p = 0.039), be active (8.1%, p = 0.017), control your weight (18.5%, p < 0.001), wash your hands (19.5%, p < 0.001), eat a balanced diet (19.3%, p < 0.001), get fit (12.1%, p = 0.007) and think positive (5.5%, p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: The “11 for Health program for Europe” was rated popular and improved physical well-being, peers and social support, and health knowledge in 10-12-year-old Faroese school-children. Thus, this concept appears to be an efficient and sustainable health promotion model for school children.