The influence of the VERB campaign on children's physical activity in 2002 to 2006

Objectives. We evaluated physical activity outcomes for children exposed to VERB, a campaign to encourage physical activity in children, across campaign years 2002 to 2006. Methods. We examined the associations between exposure to VERB and (1) physical activity sessions (free time and organized) and (2) psychosocial outcomes (outcome expectations, self-efficacy, and social Influences) for 3 nationally representative cohorts of children. Outcomes among adolescents aged 13 to 17 years (cohort 1, baseline) and children aged 9 to 13 years from cohorts 2 and 3 were analyzed for dose-response effects. Propensity scoring was used to control for confounding influences. Results. Awareness of VERB remained high across campaign years. In 2006, reports of children aged 10 to 13 years being active on the day before the survey increased significantly as exposure to the campaign increased. Psychosocial outcomes showed dose-response associations. Effects lessened as children aged out of the campaign target age range (cohort 1, baseline), but dose-response associations persisted in 2006 for outcome expectations and free-time physical activity. Conclusions. VERB positively influenced children's physical activity outcomes. Campaign effects persisted as children grew into their adolescent years.