The College of Nursing at the University of Baghdad discussed the master’s thesis entitled “The effectiveness of an intervention based on a model of change across theories in changing the sitting behavior of middle school students: A Randomized Controlled Trial” by Batoul Abbas Hussein under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Essen Kamal Nouri in the Faculty’s Great Hall
The study aimed to test the effectiveness of an intervention program based on a scientific model in changing the behavior of sitting for long hours among school students, and encouraging them to adopt a more active lifestyle.
The results of the study showed that the intervention program effectively succeeded in enhancing the positive beliefs of the participating students about the importance of exercising regularly, while at the same time reducing their negative perceptions or perceived barriers. The experiment also boosted the students’ self-confidence and their ability to commit to physical activity over time.
The study recommended that future researchers should replicate this study and expand its scope to include larger geographical areas, in order to reach broader results that can be generalized and utilized on a national level. The researcher received a grade of “Very Good” for her research efforts.
This study confirms that promoting physical activity in adolescents is a direct investment in the future of sustainable development, as reducing sedentary behavior at an early age directly contributes to the achievement of Goal 3, “Good Health and Well-being”. Preventing sedentary-related chronic diseases not only improves the quality of life of individuals, but also reduces future burdens on the health system, ensuring a healthier, more productive and sustainable society.
