Exploring associations between active school environments and children’s physical activity, mental health and educational performance in Greater London primary schools: the Health and Activity of Pupils in the Primary Years (HAPPY) study protocol

Ram, Bina; Gullett, Nancy; Benkhelfa, Amina; Sharabiani, Mansour. T. A.; van Sluijs, Esther; Cunningham, Mark; Siddiqui, Nadia; Hillsdon, Melvyn; Summerbell, Carolyn; Pallan, Miranda; Saxena, Sonia

Abstract

Introduction: School environments that encourage children to be physically active can embed lifelong positive health behaviours and contribute towards reducing health inequalities. The Health and Activity of Pupils in the Primary Years (HAPPY) study aims to: (1) explore the extent to which the WHO criteria for creating active school environments are implemented by primary schools and (2) examine associations between active school environments and children’s physical activity, mental health and educational performance. Methods and analysis: The HAPPY study is a quasi-experimental study comprising: (1) a survey of state-funded Greater London primary schools to identify implementation of the WHO’s six criteria and (2) a cross-sectional study to examine associations between schools’ active environment score (derived from the school survey) and pupils’ physical activity, mental health and educational performance. For our cross-sectional study, we will recruit up to 1000 year-three children (aged 7–8 years). Our primary outcome is accelerometer (GENEActiv) assessed physical activity, our secondary outcomes are parent-reported child mental health (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and teacher-reported educational performance (age-related expectations). Using multilevel mixed-effects regression models, we will examine associations between the active environment score and physical activity. Physical activity will be included as a measure of acceleration and also different intensities (light, moderate, vigorous). We will repeat this analysis to examine associations between the active environment score and mental health and educational performance. We will adjust for school characteristics and area-level deprivation and include pupil characteristics (eg, sex, ethnic group) as covariates. Clustering at the school level will be included as a random effect. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been obtained from Imperial College Research Ethics Committee (ref: 6800895). Findings will be disseminated through a summary report to all participating schools, peer-reviewed publications, presentations at national and international conferences and National Institute for Health and Care Research policy briefings.

Citation

Ram, B., Gullett, N., Benkhelfa, A., Sharabiani, M. T. A., van Sluijs, E., Cunningham, M., Siddiqui, N., Hillsdon, M., Summerbell, C., Pallan, M., & Saxena, S. (2025). Exploring associations between active school environments and children’s physical activity, mental health and educational performance in Greater London primary schools: the Health and Activity of Pupils in the Primary Years (HAPPY) study protocol. BMJ Open, 15(7), Article e103463. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-103463

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Jul 28, 2025
• Publication Date: Jul 27, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jul 2, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 7, 2025
• Journal: BMJ Open
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-6055
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 7
• Article Number: e103463
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-103463
• Keywords: PUBLIC HEALTH, Community child health, Schools, Physical Fitness
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4195183