| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Physical activity every day plays an important role in growth, maturation and in keeping in good health throughout your adolescent and adult life. However, only 50 % of Norwegian 15-year-olds achieve the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of a three hour seminar to promote physical activity among 15- to 17-year-olds in the south of Norway.
Method: This study is designed as a cluster randomized controlled trial. Questionnaires were completed at baseline, after two weeks (posttest 1) and after three months (posttest 2). A total of 2362 students in the South of Norway, aged 15 to 17 years, agreed to participate in the study.
Results: At baseline, students in the intervention group reported to be physically active 4.2 hours a week, while students in the control group reported to be physically active 4.1 hours a week. After three months (posttest 2) students in the intervention group increased their physical activity level by 4.8 % while students in the control group decreased their physical activity level by 9.8 % (p<0.001). The intervention had a greater effect on boys compared to girls (p=0,008) and on students taking general education compared to students taking vocational training (p<0,001).
Conclusion: A three hour theoretical seminar, which includes theory about physical activity, nutrition and eating disorders, may have an effect on the physical activity level in leisure time among adolescents in the south of Norway.
Keywords: Youth, adolescent, physical activity, intervention, theoretical seminar, physical activity level. | no_NO |
