School Based Health Promotion Program in Secondary Schools

School Children and Adolescents as Health Experts - Step 3

The purpose of the study is to determine whether a school based health promotion program in secondary schools is effective with respect to an increase of physical activity, physical fitness and health.

Current understanding of physical activity in childhood demonstrates the health benefits of regular exercise, such as improved cardiovascular fitness, skeletal health and prevention of overweight and obesity. The children obtained weekly health education lessons from their teachers to increase the physical activity in and outside of school and to improve health behavior (healthy food, no drugs) as well as the general well-being of children.

Monthly training for teachers and regular training (2-3x/year) for the parents complete the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children in the 1. grade of secondary General Schools or Intermediate Schools with written consent from the parents in the greater Munich area

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children without written consent from their parents