The influence of health-promoting schools on the students’ active and sedentary behaviour

Physical inactivity and levels of sedentary behaviour among students are associated with health problems, and schools are one of the institutions with the greatest potential for promoting healthy habits. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in...

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Main Authors: Alexandra Valencia-Peris, Lucia Sanchis-Francés, Carlos Chinchilla-Ramírez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: UCOPress 2025-01-01
Series:Psychology, Society & Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.uco.es/psye/article/view/17384
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author Alexandra Valencia-Peris
Lucia Sanchis-Francés
Carlos Chinchilla-Ramírez
author_facet Alexandra Valencia-Peris
Lucia Sanchis-Francés
Carlos Chinchilla-Ramírez
author_sort Alexandra Valencia-Peris
collection DOAJ
description Physical inactivity and levels of sedentary behaviour among students are associated with health problems, and schools are one of the institutions with the greatest potential for promoting healthy habits. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in a sample of schoolchildren according to gender, educational stage, and belonging (or not) to an Active school. A total of 727 students participated (50.3% girls; Mage = 12.8). Two questionnaires were used: the Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess physical activity levels and levels and the Young Leisure Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire to assess sedentary time. The results show that, regardless of school type: a) the vast majority did not comply with the guidelines, b) boys spent more time in physical activity and screen time than girls, and c) physical activity decreased and screen time increased as students progressed through the educational stage. However, while there were no differences in physical activity according to school type, students who did not belong to an Active school spent more time in sedentary screen time than those who did. These findings call into question the effectiveness of Active schools as a strategy to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary time by eliminating gender and educational stage differences. There is a need to improve intervention approaches in schools to promote holistically healthy and active lifestyles from childhood.
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spelling doaj-art-bc4fc950f10941a4a33fcf90e06600a62025-02-02T09:17:06ZengUCOPressPsychology, Society & Education1989-709X2025-01-0117110.21071/pse.v17i1.17384The influence of health-promoting schools on the students’ active and sedentary behaviourAlexandra Valencia-Peris0Lucia Sanchis-Francés1Carlos Chinchilla-Ramírez2Universitat de València, Valencia (Spain)Universidad de València, Valencia (Spain)Universidad de València, Valencia (Spain) Physical inactivity and levels of sedentary behaviour among students are associated with health problems, and schools are one of the institutions with the greatest potential for promoting healthy habits. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in a sample of schoolchildren according to gender, educational stage, and belonging (or not) to an Active school. A total of 727 students participated (50.3% girls; Mage = 12.8). Two questionnaires were used: the Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess physical activity levels and levels and the Young Leisure Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire to assess sedentary time. The results show that, regardless of school type: a) the vast majority did not comply with the guidelines, b) boys spent more time in physical activity and screen time than girls, and c) physical activity decreased and screen time increased as students progressed through the educational stage. However, while there were no differences in physical activity according to school type, students who did not belong to an Active school spent more time in sedentary screen time than those who did. These findings call into question the effectiveness of Active schools as a strategy to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary time by eliminating gender and educational stage differences. There is a need to improve intervention approaches in schools to promote holistically healthy and active lifestyles from childhood. https://journals.uco.es/psye/article/view/17384Health promotionActive schoolsGenderAdolescenceChildhood
spellingShingle Alexandra Valencia-Peris
Lucia Sanchis-Francés
Carlos Chinchilla-Ramírez
The influence of health-promoting schools on the students’ active and sedentary behaviour
Psychology, Society & Education
Health promotion
Active schools
Gender
Adolescence
Childhood
title The influence of health-promoting schools on the students’ active and sedentary behaviour
title_full The influence of health-promoting schools on the students’ active and sedentary behaviour
title_fullStr The influence of health-promoting schools on the students’ active and sedentary behaviour
title_full_unstemmed The influence of health-promoting schools on the students’ active and sedentary behaviour
title_short The influence of health-promoting schools on the students’ active and sedentary behaviour
title_sort influence of health promoting schools on the students active and sedentary behaviour
topic Health promotion
Active schools
Gender
Adolescence
Childhood
url https://journals.uco.es/psye/article/view/17384
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