Children today spend many hours sitting at school and at home, often in front of screens. Prolonged sitting in childhood increases the risk of future health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and poor mental wellbeing. MAFF is a simple school-to-home programme that teaches short, practical movement breaks in the classroom and encourages families to repeat them together at home through structured weekly challenges. Over 12 weeks, we will compare classes using MAFF with classes continuing as usual to assess whether children sit less, move more and improve their wellbeing. If effective, MAFF will provide schools and communities with an easy-to-implement toolkit to promote healthier and more active families.
Enrolled in participating Portuguese public schools
Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian
Assent provided by the child
Able to participate in light-to-moderate physical activity as part of normal school activities
Medical conditions or physical limitations that contraindicate participation in physical activity
Cognitive, developmental, or behavioural conditions that would prevent understanding or adherence to the intervention procedures (as assessed by school staff)
Lack of parental/legal guardian consent
Concurrent participation in another structured physical activity or behavioural intervention study
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal
Lead sponsor
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal. Escola Superior de Saúde.
Collaborator
University of Évora
Collaborator