Engaging children and families in physical activity: novel interventions and practical applications

I. Scientific excellence

Physical activity is an important determinant of health across the lifespan, yet the majority of children are inactive. Childhood is an important time to promote physical activity, in order to develop healthy behaviours that promote healthy ageing. Much research has focussed on promoting physical activity in school-based settings as conducive environments to promote lifelong physical activity. Despite this, such interventions demonstrate limited success with largest variability in children’s physical activity being during the out of school hours. As children spend the majority of their out of school time with their families, there is an opportunity for a family-based (intergenerational: from children to grandparents) intervention targeting behaviour change. This PhD programme builds upon our research that has explored the role of the family in children’s physical activity and developed contemporary methods to measure activity and sedentary behaviours. Our proposed research will develop and evaluate a family-based out of school intervention that 1) aims to improve children and their families’ physical activity and reduce the time they spend engaged in sedentary behaviour 2) Examine any associated changes in physiological and psychosocial health markers.

II. Clear aim and hypothesis

Aim: To design and evaluate a novel family-based out-of-school physical activity intervention.
Objectives:
1. To undertake formative work to co-develop a family-based out of school physical activity intervention.
2. To evaluate the effect of the intervention on physical activity levels, sedentary behaviours and markers of physiological and psychosocial health in children and their families.

Hypothesis: A tailored intervention will increase levels of physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in children and their families.

III. Methodology and innovations

Formative phase: Building upon our existing research, we will recruit children and families to form a project working group to conduct focus groups and utilise creative and mixed-methodologies to develop a tailored intervention.

Evaluation: A controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of the intervention. Outcome measures: Conducted at baseline, post intervention (~12 weeks), and at follow up on each member of the family living in the same household. We will assess a range of markers, including objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary behaviour using wrist-worn accelerometers, body size/fatness using anthropometric measures, health markers such as blood pressure and a range of self-reported outcomes related to psychosocial wellbeing and health-related quality of life.

IV. Strategic relevance

Physical activity is a key public health priority. Effective intervention designs can address the high level of physical inactivity observed in children and their families and reduce the global burden of non-communicable disease. The potential impact of a successful intervention could be substantial, especially if used to inform and evolve policy.

V. Interdisciplinarity and fit with relevant DTA programme

The proposed programme includes the exercise sciences, psychology, physiology and public health disciplines, and is therefore interdisciplinary in nature. During the project we will also work with our established collaborators in the Public Health Institute at LJMU.

Applications

Applicants must apply using the online form on the University Alliance website at https://unialliance.ac.uk/dta/cofund/how-to-apply/. Full details of the programme, eligibility details and a list of available research projects can be seen at https://unialliance.ac.uk/dta/cofund/

The final deadline for application is Monday 8 October 2018. There will be another opportunity to apply for DTA3 projects in the spring of 2019. The list of available projects is likely to change for the second intake.