A cluster randomised trial of a school-based health promotion intervention: Shake-a-Leg

This study will employ a two level cluster randomised controlled design where the primary cluster is the school and the secondary cluster is the class. Eligible schools who agree to participate in the study will be stratified by school size and geographic location then randomly allocated to either intervention or control group. The term in which the school participates in the trial will also be randomly allocated at this time. Intervention Schools During weeks 2 to 7 of the school term, students in intervention schools will receive the Shake-A-Leg program; one session per week, during class time for approximately 40 minutes. Students will also receive additional Physical Activity and Nutrition content at each of these sessions for approximately 5 minutes. Session will be delivered by qualified Aboriginal Health workers Overview of Session content themes and main learning objectives Years 5 & 6: Session 1: Identity Learn ‘what is identity’ Understand the various ways people express their identity Work as part of a team Express identity using artwork Learn ways to maintain identity Session 2: Physical Activity: Understand the importance of exercise Understand daily recommendations of physical activity for children Session 3: Nutrition Build confidence in choosing healthy food and drink Understand the five food groups Make informed healthy food choices Distinguish difference between ‘everyday foods’ and ‘sometimes foods’ Session 4: Oral Health Learn what a healthy mouth looks like Learn about plaque and tooth decay Learn how plaque affects your teeth – carries process Learn preventative measures – brushing, flossing, and treatment Understand the importance of healthy eating Learn the effects on teeth when we consume sometimes food and drinks too much or too often Session 5: Alcohol and other drugs Learn ‘what is a drug’ Gain an understanding of the different types of drugs Understand the negative effects of alcohol, cannabis and tobacco use and what to look for in noticing these effects Think of ways they may respond if offered drugs Session 6: Bullying Learn ‘what is bullying’ Understand the emotional impact bullying can have on the victims Work as part of a team Recognise the different ways to handle bullying Data collection Data will be collected using paper-based questionnaires by trained research assistants from Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) Aboriginal Health Unit and Population Health Unit. Data collection will be conducted in all participating schools (intervention and control) at two points. Baseline data during week 1 of their allocated school term and post-intervention data will be collected in week 8 of the same term. All data will be re-identifiable, with each child being allocated a unique study number so that baseline and post-intervention data can be matched. Attendance of participating students will be recorded at each session. Data from students who did not attend at least four sessions, two of which must be physical activity and nutrition, will be excluded from analysis.