“11 for Health” in the Faroe Islands: Popularity in schoolchildren aged 10–12 and the effect on well‐being and health knowledge

Abstract

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the popularity of the “11 for Health program for Europe” for 10–12‐year‐old Faroese children and the effects on well‐being and health knowledge.MethodsWe applied a cluster‐randomized controlled trial, including a total of 19 school clusters, randomized into intervention schools (IG, n = 12) and control schools (CG, n = 7). A total of 261 children (137 boys and 124 girls) participated. IG completed the 11‐week program, consisting of 2 × 45 min weekly sessions with football drills, small‐sided games, and health education. CG continued their regular education. Pre‐ and post‐intervention, the participants completed a shortened version of the multidimensional well‐being questionnaire KIDSCREEN‐27 and a 34‐item multiple‐choice health knowledge questionnaire.ResultsBetween‐group differences (p < 0.05) were observed in change scores for physical well‐being and overall peers and social support in favor of IG compared with CG, as well as for physical well‐being in IG girls compared with CG girls. Between‐group differences in change score for overall health knowledge (11.8%, p < 0.001, ES: 0.82) were observed in favor of IG, as well as for playing football (8.9%, p = 0.039, ES: 0.24), be active (8.1%, p = 0.017, ES: 0.32), control your weight (18.5%, p < 0.001, ES: 0.52), wash your hands (19.5%, p < 0.001, ES: 0.59), eat a balanced diet (19.3%, p < 0.001, ES: 0.64), get fit (12.1%, p = 0.007, ES: 0.34), and think positive (5.5%, p = 0.039, ES: 0.22). The program was reported as enjoyable with equal moderate‐to‐high scores for girls (3.68 ± 1.23; ±SD) and boys (3.84 ± 1.17) on a 1–5 Likert Scale.ConclusionThe “11 for Health program for Europe” improved physical well‐being, peers, and social support and broad‐spectrum health knowledge in 10–12‐year‐old Faroese schoolchildren and was rated popular.