Effectiveness of an Exploratory Pragmatic Universal School‐Based Resilience Intervention in Improving Adolescent Physical Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

INTRODUCTION: School resilience focused programs have been identified as a possible method of improving health behaviours; however, few trials have been conducted to determine the effect of such comprehensive programs on adolescent physical activity and healthy eating practices. The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of a school-based resilience intervention on student physical activity levels and fruit and vegetable consumption. METHODS: A three-year exploratory cluster-randomised controlled trial of students in Australian secondary schools was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a pragmatic universal intervention targeting a range of student resilience protective factors grouped according to the Health Promoting Schools framework, in improving student physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption. Data regarding physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and resilience protective factors was collected. FINDINGS: No significant differences were found at follow-up between intervention and control students for any health risk physical activity: mean difference (MD) -40.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) -94.3,13.0, p = 0.14; fruit serves: MD 0.01, 95% CI -0.20, 0.22, p = 0.95; vegetable serves: MD -0.07, 95% CI -0.24, 0.11, p = 0.44; or resilience protective factor outcomes (individual: MD -0.01, 95% CI -0.07, 0.06, p = 0.87; environmental: MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.09, 0.06, p = 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: This resilience intervention was not effective in improving the physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, or resilience protective factors of students. SO WHAT?: Further research is warranted to determine the specific resilience protective factors that may be most effective for these outcomes, given the significant policy and practice potential this approach has. Trial Rregistration: ACTRN12611000606987.