Six weeks to health: a promising low-cost educational intervention targeting physical fitness and healthy habits in children

Abstract Objective We aimed to evaluate the effects of a functional health literacy program for students of a municipal primary school II in the city of Palmas—TO. Methods A quasi-experimental study evaluated a single group (no control group). Health-related physical fitness tests include assessment of cardiorespiratory endurance by the 6-min run test, flexibility by the sit-and-reach test, localized muscular endurance by counting the number of sit-ups performed correctly in 1 min, speed of movement by the 20-m run, motor coordination by the 4 × 4 square test, and lower limb strength by the horizontal jump without momentum. The Food Consumption Markers form was used to assess food consumption markers. Results Among the observed results, it was found that of the 12 participating students, 6 (50%) were male and 6 (50%) were female, with an average age of 10.5 years. Results of the students’ physical fitness tests indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the tests: sitting and reaching (cm), 1-min sit-ups, and 6-min run/walk. Results for food consumption markers suggest that the intervention had a significant positive effect only on increasing fresh fruit consumption. The other variables did not show statistically significant changes, indicating that the intervention did not significantly affect these dietary habits. Conclusion The 6-week educational intervention may effectively promote certain aspects of students’ physical fitness and healthy habits. Specifically, improvements were observed in abdominal resistance, aerobic endurance, and flexibility as components of physical fitness. Additionally, the intervention positively influenced healthy eating habits, particularly increasing the consumption of fresh fruits among students.