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In March/April 2011, a formal evaluation of Project Energize was undertaken. Results show that Energize delivers measureable improvements in the health of Waikato children. Energize children’s health and fitness was compared with a range of national and regional data (control) by age group as well data collected being compared to previous evaluations done for Project Energize. 5110 children aged 6 to 11 years from 192 schools participated in the evaluation. Main findings:
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Energize children run faster than comparison groups of the same age |
Ran 20 seconds (13%) faster compared to national data gathered for the same age groups between 2001 and 2007 |
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Energize children have smaller waist circumferences than Waikato children measured in 2004 and 2006 |
Children weighed less and had a lower body mass index than Waikato children of the same age measured in 2004 and 2006. Waist measurements were substantially less than those measured in Waikato children of the same age measured in 2004 and 2006 |
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A smaller proportion of Energize children were categorised as overweight or obese than comparison groups |
Obesity rates at 3% less than the national average |
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Energize children are physically active |
3000 questionnaires returned by parents and wh?nau of children showed 76% believed their children’s fitness had improved as a result of the programme |
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Schools make healthy changes to in-school nutrition and activity policy and practice because of the Energize programme |
78% of schools reported improved quality of daily fitness |
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Energize is affordable |
Energize costs $40 per annum per child – 20c per child per school day |
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Energize children have good knowledge and attitudes about healthy eating and activity |
97.5% of 6 to 8 year olds in this study agreed water was healthy or very healthy
99% of 9 to 11 year olds thought healthy eating was somewhat or very important |
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Energize children have healthy eating and drinking habits |
36% of children evaluated were Maori (this is a relatively high participation rate compared with previous child health studies)
3,030 household questionnaires to parents and whanau were completed (again a high response rate) and 30% of households responding were Maori |
In recognition of the results from the evaluation Energize won the Patient Outcome category of the Best of Health Awards 2012. The project was also named Overall Winner for 2012. The awards are run by the Waikato District Health Board.
Executive Summary from "An evaluation of nutrition and physical activity in Waikato primary schools. Project Energize June 2008-2011" Click here (pdf).
Full report "An evaluation of nutrition and physical activity in Waikato primary schools. Project Energize June 2008-2011" Click here
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