Intervention and Prevention
Obesity (2008) 16 8, 1849–1853. doi:10.1038/oby.2008.282
Changing the School Environment to Increase Physical Activity in Children
Lorraine Lanningham-Foster1, Randal C. Foster1, Shelly K. McCrady1, Chinmay U. Manohar1, Teresa B. Jensen2, Naim G. Mitre1, James O. Hill3 and James A. Levine1
- 1Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- 2Department of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- 3University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
Correspondence: James A. Levine (Levine.james@mayo.edu)
Received 6 September 2007; Accepted 5 March 2008; Published online 29 May 2008.
Abstract
We examined the hypothesis that elementary school–age children will be more physically active while attending school in a novel, activity-permissive school environment compared to their traditional school environment. Twenty-four children were monitored with a single-triaxial accelerometer worn on the thigh. The students attended school in three different environments: traditional school with chairs and desks, an activity-permissive environment, and finally their traditional school with desks which encouraged standing. Data from the school children were compared with another group of age-matched children (n = 16) whose physical activity was monitored during summer vacation. When children attended school in their traditional environment, they moved an average (mean 
s.d.) of 71 0.4 m/s2. When the children attended school in the activity-permissive environment, they moved an average of 115 3 m/s2. The children moved 71 0.7 m/s2 while attending the traditional school with standing desks. Children moved significantly more while attending school in the activity-permissive environment compared to the amount that they moved in either of the traditional school environments (P < 0.0001 for both). Comparing children's activity while they were on summer vacation (113 8 m/s2) to school-bound children in their traditional environment showed significantly more activity for the children on summer vacation (P < 0.0001). The school children in the activity-permissive environment were as active as children on summer vacation. Children will move more in an activity-permissive environment. Strategies to increase the activity of school children may involve re-designing the school itself.
