Effects of a Web-Based Health Program on Fifth Grade Children’s Physical Activity Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Grenda

American children remain less physically active than they did a decade ago. Web-based programs (e-Learning) that require minimal teacher training and expertise may improve children’s health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. This study evaluated the impact of the e-Learning module Healthy Hearts 4 Kids (HH) on 233 fifth graders using a 2x3 repeated measures design. Significant gains in knowledge and attitude appeared after completion and persisted six weeks later.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Child physical inactivity and heart disease risk

Barriers to health instruction in elementary schools

Alternative delivery methods for health education

Internet-delivered instruction and the HH module

Effects of a Web-Based Health Program on Fifth Grade Children’s Physical Activity Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior Stephen Palmer, George Graham and Eloise Elliott ABSTRACT American children continue to be less physically active than they were a decade ago. Web-based programs (e-Learning), requiring minimal teacher training and expertise, could contribute to improvements in children’s healthrelated knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the e-Learning module Healthy Hearts 4 Kids (HH) on the physical activity knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of 233 fifth grade children. A 2x3 repeated measures design was employed and significant changes in knowledge and attitude were found upon completion of the module and also six weeks after the post-test was completed. Results of this study suggest HH could be an effective component of a coordinated school health program (CSHP). INTRODUCTION Heart disease is the nation’s leading killer, accounting for more than 30% of all deaths nationwide. The contribution of unhealthy behaviors such as physical inactivity, tobacco use and poor nutrition to the incidence of heart disease is well documented and evidence indicates that habits established during childhood continue into adulthood.1 Recommendations for improving children’s health behaviors include school health education.2 Evidence suggests that a majority of elementary school children do not receive health instruction during school. Teachers are less likely to include content in classroom curricula if states do not require testing in that particular subject, and data reveal that only 15.7% of states require students be tested on health education topics.3 Many barriers exist for teachers inclusion of health instruction, such as time, a lack of resources and insufficient or no health training.3,4 Limited research exists regarding the specific implementation of health instruction in elementary school classrooms. What evidence is available suggests that health instruction is not included in classroom curricula.5 Although eighty percent of states require health instruction in elementary schools, only 3.8% of health instruction at elementary schools nationwide is taught by health education specialists, while the largest proportion is taught by classroom teachers.2 Furthermore, only thirteen states require health education training for multiple subject pre-service teachers. There are many potential reasons for the failure of schools and classroom teachers to offer health instruction. In an effort to circumvent failure, it is possible to identify viable alternative methods for delivering health instruction. One option has been for school nurses and undergraduate nursing students to provide health instruction.6 The CDC recommends that health instruction come from “teachers who have been trained to teach the subject.”2 Although school nurses are well trained in health content, they are not typically trained in pedagogy. The effectiveness of school nurses teaching health is one area in need of study. Another evolving approach is to deliver health instruction using video, computer and Internet technologies. Health instructional videos that supplement existing health curricula with primary grade children have been significantly correlated with improved cognitive achievement and student interest towards health.7 Videos are Stephen Palmer, PhD, is assistant professor, Northern Arizona University, Department of Health Promotion, Box 1-5095, Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5095; E-mail: [steve.palmer@nau.edu](steve.palmer@nau.edu). George Graham, PhD, is with the Department of Kinesiology, Penn State University, 146 Recreation Building, University Park, PA 16802. Eloise Elliott, PhD, Concord College, PO Box 97, Athens, WV 24712. Stephen Palmer, George Graham and Eloise Elliott static in design and cannot evolve along with content and methods as a live teacher might. Internet and computer-d

FAQs

What is the Healthy Hearts 4 Kids (HH) module designed to teach?

HH delivers units on cardiovascular function, physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco, with interactive activities and feedback while students work online at school.

How was HH evaluated in this study?

The study used a 2x3 repeated measures design to assess changes in physical activity knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors before and after the module, and again six weeks later.

What were the main findings regarding children’s knowledge and attitudes?

Completion of the HH module produced significant improvements in knowledge and attitudes, and these changes remained evident six weeks after the post-test.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Grenda