Summary of Results for REAL Kids Alberta 2008
- Substantially more grade 5 children are overweight or obese than estimates from an earlier study in 2004 (Canadian Community Health Survey), which indicated that 22% of Alberta children and youth aged 2 to 17 were overweight or obese.
- The majority of Grade 5 students are not meeting Canada's Food Guide recommendations.
- Of all Grade 5 students in Alberta, about half spend three hours or more per day in front of a screen outside of school hours. This exceeds recommendations from the Canadian Paediatric Society of two hours or less per day of total screen time.
- The majority of Grade 5 students are not sufficiently physically active.
- Parent responses indicated strong support for a school environment that promotes healthy eating and daily physically activity.
Mock School Report
School reports were sent to all participating school principals and school districts following the analysis of the 2008 REAL Kids Alberta data. These reports share findings that are meaningful to schools by comparing the school or district with the provincial average for student nutrition, physical activity, and parental support of policy. Once the 2010 data is collected and analyzed, all participating schools and districts will receive a comparative summary report of the 2008 and 2010 results. View PDF
This mock report does not show true individual school data, but the provincial average is accurate.
Recent Publications
Wu X, Ohinmaa A, Veugelers PJ. Socio-demographic and neighbourhood determinants of health-related quality of life among grade five students in Canada. Quality of Life Research, 2010. Show/hide info
Data: REAL Kids Alberta 2008. The HRQOL of the students was assessed using the EQ-5D-Y Canadian English child version.
Results: In five dimensions of the EQ-5D-Y
- problems with 'walking' were reported by 8.1%
- problems 'looking after myself' were reported by 6.5%
- problems with 'usual activities' were reported by 11.8%
- problems 'pain or discomfort' were reported by 46%
- feeling 'worried, sad or unhappy' was reported by 37.7%
Conclusion: Public health initiatives to improve HRQOL among children are suggested to take into account the influence of different socio-demographic and neighbourhood characteristics such that priority is given to those residing in towns, rural areas and dissatisfying neighbourhoods with poor access to recreational facilities and stores for fresh products.
Carson V, Kuhle S., Spence J, Veugelers PJ. Parents' Perception of Neighbourhood Environment as a Determinant of Screen Time, Physical Activity and Active Transport. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 2010; 101 (2): 124-27. Show/hide info
Data: REAL Kids Alberta 2008
Results: Children residing in neighbourhoods with good satisfaction/services and sidewalks/parks were significantly more likely to engage in 2 hours or less of screen time and to be physically active. Children in neighbourhoods with good sidewalks/parks were also more likely to engage in active transport to and from school. However, perceived neighbourhood safety had little impact.
Conclusion: The findings suggest physical activity and active transport may be increased and sedentary behaviour reduced through 1) increasing access to parks, playgrounds, and play spaces, 2) increasing access to sports and recreation programs, and 3) provision of sidewalks such that children and youth can walk or bike to school.
Simen-Kapeu A, Kuhle S. Veugelers PJ. Geographic Differences in Childhood Overweight, Physical Activity, Nutrition and Neighbourhood Facilities: Implications for Prevention. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 2010; 101 (2): 128-32.
Show/hide info
Data: REAL Kids Alberta 2008
Results: The prevalence of overweight was 28.5% among Albertan grade five students, with 6.7% being obese. Among students attending schools in towns and rural areas, the prevalence of overweight was 29.8% and 30.6% respectively. Compared with students attending urban schools, those attending schools in towns and rural areas reported more physical activity, despite perceiving less access to playgrounds/parks and recreational programs. These latter students further reported poorer diets and purchasing more energy-dense foods and snacks at their schools.
Conclusion: Confirmed the existence of geographic differentials in overweight and its underlying causes. The study urges more promotion of healthy eating and active living, particularly in towns and rural areas to reduce geographic inequalities in health.
Davidson Z, Simen-Kapeu A, Veugelers PJ. Neighbourhood determinants of self-efficacy, physical activity, and body weights among Canadian children. Health & Place, 2010; 16: 567-572. Show/hide info
Data: REAL Kids Alberta 2008
Results: Identified neighbourhood satisfaction and services as well as neighbourhood sidewalks and parks as determinants of self-efficacy. Over and above various and independent associations of neighbourhoods with self-efficacy, PA and body weight, self-efficacy exhibited a positive effect on PA and a negative effect on body weight.
Conclusion: Both infrastructural investments such as recreational facilities, sidewalks and parks, as well as health education to promote self-efficacy may increase PA and prevent overweight among children.
Spitters H, Schwartz M, & Veugelers P. Parent and student support for school policies that promote healthy eating and active living. Physical and Health Education Journal 2009, 52(2), 30-34. View PDF Show/hide info
Method: REAL Kids Alberta 2008 data
Results: 94% of parents agree that schools should limit the availability of unhealthy foods such as chocolate, candy, French Fries, potato chips and pop in schools. 69% of parents agree that schools should ban the serving of these unhealthy foods at school. 80% of parents believe that schools should discourage students from bringing unhealthy foods to school, while only 39% agree that student should not be allowed to bring unhealthy foods to school. 98% of parents strongly agree that schools should adhere to Daily Physical Activity requirements for 30 minutes each day. In addition, the majority of students (93%) care about being healthy; care about eating healthy foods (84%); care about being physically active (90%); and enjoy physical education (91%).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that parents and students overwhelmingly support the promotion of healthy eating and active living in schools. School policies to support healthy living have been shown to strengthen student learning and the future health of students. With the significant support of parents and students, schools do not need to wait for governmental policies to take direct action, but may begin implementing school-level policies and practices that support healthy eating and active living. Parents understand the influence of the school environment on outcomes for students' learning and wellbeing, and support healthy changes to that environment.