Peer power could make teenage girls do more physical activity
TEENAGE girls do more physical activity when encouraged by their peers rather than family members or teachers, a pilot study has found.
The study involved more than 400 female pupils from six secondary schools who nominated friends in their year they respected and trusted.
They were provided with training designed to highlight the benefits of exercise, then used their influence to subtly encourage their close friendship groups to be more active.
Girls who took part in the pilot study did an extra six minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and cut their sedentary time by 23 minutes per day.
The scheme, named peer-led physical activity intervention for adolescent girls (PLAN-A), was liked by pupils, parents and teachers. Researchers believe PLAN-A has the potential to be a cost-effective way to stem the decline in physical activity among teenage girls.
They have been awarded £840,000 from the National Institute for Health Research to test the scheme on more than 1,000 Year Nine girls from 20 schools.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics in January showed girls aged between eight and 15 spend an average of 25 minutes each day on sports activities.
NHS guidelines say children aged five to 18 must complete at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily to maintain a “basic level of health”.
The project is led by Professor Russ Jago and Dr Simon Sebire from the University of Bristol’s Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences.
Prof Jago said: “The influence of peers during adolescence is very strong, and the PLAN-A has the potential to harness this to address low levels of physical activity amongst girls. We are excited to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention more widely.”
The pilot study has been published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and
Physical Activity. Sport England has provided £30,000 funding for the delivery of the plan in the schools that will receive it.
Sport England executive director Mike Diaper said: “The lessons we learn will benefit girls across the country.”