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Hodder RK, O'Brien KM, Wyse RJ, Tzelepis F, Yoong S, Stacey FG, Wolfenden L. Interventions for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in children aged five years and under. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 9:CD008552. [PMID: 39312396 PMCID: PMC11418976 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd008552.pub8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables in childhood increases the risk of future non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Testing the effects of interventions designed to increase children's consumption of fruit and vegetables, including those focused on specific child-feeding strategies or broader multicomponent interventions targeting the home or childcare environment, is required to assess the potential to reduce this disease burden. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of interventions designed to increase the consumption of fruit, vegetables or both amongst children aged five years and under. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and two clinical trials registries to identify eligible trials on 25 March 2023. We searched Proquest Dissertations and Theses in December 2022. We reviewed reference lists of included trials and contacted authors of the included trials to identify further potentially relevant trials. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including cluster-randomised controlled trials (C-RCTs) and cross-over trials, of any intervention primarily targeting consumption of fruit, vegetables or both amongst children aged five years and under compared to no-intervention control, and incorporating a dietary or biochemical assessment of fruit or vegetable consumption. Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts of identified papers; a third review author resolved disagreements. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed the risks of bias of included trials; a third review author resolved disagreements. We used random-effects models in meta-analyses for the primary review outcomes where we identified sufficient trials. We calculated standardised mean differences (SMDs) to account for the heterogeneity of fruit and vegetable consumption measures. We conducted assessments of risks of bias and evaluated the certainty of evidence (GRADE approach) using Cochrane procedures. MAIN RESULTS We included 53 trials with 120 trial arms and 12,350 participants. Sixteen trials examined the impact of child-feeding practice interventions only (e.g. repeated food exposure) in increasing child vegetable intake. Twenty trials examined the impact of multicomponent interventions primarily conducted in the childcare setting (e.g. parent nutrition education and preschool policy changes) in increasing child fruit and vegetable intake. Seventeen trials examined the impact of parent nutrition education only in increasing child fruit and vegetable intake. Two trials examined the effect of a nutrition education intervention delivered to children only in increasing child fruit and vegetable intake and one each examined a child-focused mindfulness intervention or providing families with fruit and vegetable interventions. We judged nine of the 53 included trials as free from high risks of bias across all domains. Performance, detection and attrition bias were the most common domains judged at high risk of bias for the remaining trials. There is moderate-certainty evidence that child-feeding practice interventions versus no-intervention control probably have a small positive effect on child vegetable consumption, equivalent to an increase of 15.5 grams as-desired consumption of vegetables (SMD 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24 to 0.65; 15 trials, 1976 participants; mean post-intervention follow-up = 12.3 weeks). No trials in this comparison reported information about intervention costs. One trial reported no harms or serious unintended adverse consequences (low-certainty evidence). Multicomponent interventions versus no-intervention control probably have a small effect on child consumption of fruit and vegetables (SMD 0.27, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.43; 14 trials, 4318 participants; moderate-certainty evidence; mean post-intervention follow-up = 4.0 weeks), equivalent to an increase of 0.34 cups of fruit and vegetables a day. One trial, which tested a multicomponent garden-based intervention, reported the installation of the garden as part of the intervention to be USD 1500 per childcare centre (low-certainty evidence). No trials in this comparison reported information about unintended adverse consequences of interventions. Parent nutrition education interventions may have little to no short-term impact on child consumption of fruit and vegetables versus no-intervention control (SMD 0.10, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.22; 14 trials, 4122 participants; low-certainty evidence; mean post-intervention follow-up = 6.4 weeks). One trial reported the total estimated cost of delivering a parent nutrition education intervention for infant feeding, physical activity and sedentary behaviours delivered by a dietitian as approximately AUD 500 per family (low-certainty evidence). One trial reported no unintended adverse consequences on family food expenditure following implementation of an intervention delivered over the telephone to improve parental knowledge and skills about the home food environment (low-certainty evidence). Trials reported receiving governmental or charitable funds, except for one trial reporting industry funding. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There was moderate-certainty evidence that child-feeding practice interventions and multicomponent interventions probably lead to only small increases in fruit and vegetable consumption in children aged five years and under. Parent nutrition education interventions may have little or no effect on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in children aged five years and under. Future research should be prioritised on assessment and reporting of both intervention cost and adverse effects, and development and evaluation of interventions in research gaps, including in a broader range of settings and in low- and middle-income countries. This review continues to be maintained as a living systematic review with monthly searches for new evidence and incorporation of relevant new evidence as it becomes available. Please refer to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for the current status of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K Hodder
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Population Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
- National Centre of Implementation Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Kate M O'Brien
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Population Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
- National Centre of Implementation Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Wyse
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Flora Tzelepis
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Population Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Serene Yoong
- National Centre of Implementation Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fiona G Stacey
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Luke Wolfenden
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Population Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
- National Centre of Implementation Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
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Padgett L, Stevens J, Summerbell C, Burton W, Stamp E, McLarty L, Schofield H, Bryant M. Childhood obesity prevention trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis on trial design and the impact of type 1 error. Obes Rev 2024; 25:e13736. [PMID: 38529530 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Effect sizes from previously reported trials are often used to determine the meaningful change in weight in childhood obesity prevention interventions because information on clinically meaningful differences is lacking. Estimates from previous trials may be influenced by statistical significance; therefore, it is important that they have a low risk of type 1 error. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to report on the design of child obesity prevention randomized controlled trials and effectiveness according to risk of type 1 error. Eighty-four randomized controlled trials were identified. A large range of assumptions were applied in the sample size calculations. The most common primary outcome was BMI, with detectable effect size differences used in sample size calculations ranging from 0.25 kg/m2 (followed up at 2 years) to 1.1 kg/m2 (at 9 months) and BMI z-score ranging from 0.1 (at 4 years) to 0.67 (at 3 years). There was no consistent relationship between low risk of type 1 error and reports of higher or lower effectiveness. Further clarity of the size of a meaningful difference in weight in childhood obesity prevention trials is required to support evaluation design and decision-making for intervention and policy. Type 1 error risk does not appear to impact effect sizes in a consistent direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Padgett
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - June Stevens
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carolyn Summerbell
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, Durham City, UK
| | - Wendy Burton
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Elizabeth Stamp
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Laura McLarty
- Leeds Institute for Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Holly Schofield
- Leeds Institute for Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Maria Bryant
- Department of Health Sciences and the Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
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Hermeling L, Steinacker JM, Kobel S. Beyond correlates: the social gradient in childhood overweight. Arch Public Health 2024; 82:3. [PMID: 38195594 PMCID: PMC10775653 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-023-01232-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health (in)equity has a high priority on research and policy agendas. Even though it is known that inequalities in overweight prevalence accumulate with age and are already existent among children below the age of six, research on this topic is scarce. In this young age group, parents play an important role in preventing overweight and associated adverse consequences. This study examines the magnitude of parental misclassification of child weight status and its correlates, focussing on the factors that determine social status and equity. METHODS Preschool children's weight and height was measured objectively. Parents gave information on their socioeconomic background. Family education was dichotomised into tertiary and non-tertiary educational level, according to CASMIN. Binary logistic regression, adjusted for parental BMI, was applied to detect odds of childhood overweight. RESULTS Data on family educational level and anthropometrics were available from 643 children (4.5 ± 0.82 years, 52.7% male) and their parents of which 46.5% (n = 299) had a tertiary educational background. The groups (tertiary vs. non-tertiary educational level) differ significantly in overweight prevalence (3.7% vs. 11.9%, p ≤ 0.001). Odds of overweight were two times higher in children with non-tertiary educational background (OR: 2.123, CI: 1.010-4.461, p < 0.05), adjusted for parental BMI. CONCLUSION Children from families with low educational background have an elevated risk of overweight, already at a very young age. Education in general (not explicitly health education) seems to play a tremendous role in the prevention of overweight and obesity and should therefore be implied in policies enhancing health equity. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS-ID: DRKS00010089.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Hermeling
- Division of Sports- and Rehabilitation Medicine, Centre of Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jürgen M Steinacker
- Division of Sports- and Rehabilitation Medicine, Centre of Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Susanne Kobel
- Division of Sports- and Rehabilitation Medicine, Centre of Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany.
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Grady A, Jackson J, Wolfenden L, Lum M, Yoong SL. Assessing the scalability of healthy eating interventions within the early childhood education and care setting: secondary analysis of a Cochrane systematic review. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:3211-3229. [PMID: 37990443 PMCID: PMC10755435 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023002550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a recommended setting for the delivery of health eating interventions 'at scale' (i.e. to large numbers of childcare services) to improve child public health nutrition. Appraisal of the 'scalability' (suitability for delivery at scale) of interventions is recommended to guide public health decision-making. This study describes the extent to which factors required to assess scalability are reported among ECEC-based healthy eating interventions. DESIGN Studies from a recent Cochrane systematic review assessing the effectiveness of healthy eating interventions delivered in ECEC for improving child dietary intake were included. The reporting of factors of scalability was assessed against domains outlined within the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool (ISAT). The tool recommends decision makers consider the problem, the intervention, strategic and political context, effectiveness, costs, fidelity and adaptation, reach and acceptability, delivery setting and workforce, implementation infrastructure and sustainability. Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. SETTING ECEC. PARTICIPANTS Children 6 months to 6 years. RESULTS Of thirty-eight included studies, none reported all factors within the ISAT. All studies reported the problem, the intervention, effectiveness and the delivery workforce and setting. The lowest reported domains were intervention costs (13 % of studies) and sustainability (16 % of studies). CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate there is a lack of reporting of some key factors of scalability for ECEC-based healthy eating interventions. Future studies should measure and report such factors to support policy and practice decision makers when selecting interventions to be scaled-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Grady
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Population Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- National Centre of Implementation Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Jacklyn Jackson
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Population Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
- National Centre of Implementation Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Luke Wolfenden
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Population Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- National Centre of Implementation Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Melanie Lum
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Population Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- National Centre of Implementation Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Sze Lin Yoong
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- National Centre of Implementation Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
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Yoong SL, Lum M, Wolfenden L, Jackson J, Barnes C, Hall AE, McCrabb S, Pearson N, Lane C, Jones JZ, Nolan E, Dinour L, McDonnell T, Booth D, Grady A. Healthy eating interventions delivered in early childhood education and care settings for improving the diet of children aged six months to six years. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 8:CD013862. [PMID: 37606067 PMCID: PMC10443896 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013862.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary intake during early childhood can have implications on child health and developmental trajectories. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are recommended settings to deliver healthy eating interventions as they provide access to many children during this important period. Healthy eating interventions delivered in ECEC settings can include strategies targeting the curriculum (e.g. nutrition education), ethos and environment (e.g. menu modification) and partnerships (e.g. workshops for families). Despite guidelines supporting the delivery of healthy eating interventions in this setting, little is known about their impact on child health. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of healthy eating interventions delivered in ECEC settings for improving dietary intake in children aged six months to six years, relative to usual care, no intervention or an alternative, non-dietary intervention. Secondary objectives were to assess the impact of ECEC-based healthy eating interventions on physical outcomes (e.g. child body mass index (BMI), weight, waist circumference), language and cognitive outcomes, social/emotional and quality-of-life outcomes. We also report on cost and adverse consequences of ECEC-based healthy eating interventions. SEARCH METHODS We searched eight electronic databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, Scopus and SportDiscus on 24 February 2022. We searched reference lists of included studies, reference lists of relevant systematic reviews, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar, and contacted authors of relevant papers. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including cluster-RCTs, stepped-wedge RCTs, factorial RCTs, multiple baseline RCTs and randomised cross-over trials, of healthy eating interventions targeting children aged six months to six years that were conducted within the ECEC setting. ECEC settings included preschools, nurseries, kindergartens, long day care and family day care. To be included, studies had to include at least one intervention component targeting child diet within the ECEC setting and measure child dietary or physical outcomes, or both. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Pairs of review authors independently screened titles and abstracts and extracted study data. We assessed risk of bias for all studies against 12 criteria within RoB 1, which allows for consideration of how selection, performance, attrition, publication and reporting biases impact outcomes. We resolved discrepancies via consensus or by consulting a third review author. Where we identified studies with suitable data and homogeneity, we performed meta-analyses using a random-effects model; otherwise, we described findings using vote-counting approaches and via harvest plots. For measures with similar metrics, we calculated mean differences (MDs) for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes. We calculated standardised mean differences (SMDs) for primary and secondary outcomes where studies used different measures. We applied GRADE to assess certainty of evidence for dietary, cost and adverse outcomes. MAIN RESULTS We included 52 studies that investigated 58 interventions (described across 96 articles). All studies were cluster-RCTs. Twenty-nine studies were large (≥ 400 participants) and 23 were small (< 400 participants). Of the 58 interventions, 43 targeted curriculum, 56 targeted ethos and environment, and 50 targeted partnerships. Thirty-eight interventions incorporated all three components. For the primary outcomes (dietary outcomes), we assessed 19 studies as overall high risk of bias, with performance and detection bias being most commonly judged as high risk of bias. ECEC-based healthy eating interventions versus usual practice or no intervention may have a positive effect on child diet quality (SMD 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04 to 0.65; P = 0.03, I2 = 91%; 6 studies, 1973 children) but the evidence is very uncertain. There is moderate-certainty evidence that ECEC-based healthy eating interventions likely increase children's consumption of fruit (SMD 0.11, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.18; P < 0.01, I2 = 0%; 11 studies, 2901 children). The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of ECEC-based healthy eating interventions on children's consumption of vegetables (SMD 0.12, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.25; P =0.08, I2 = 70%; 13 studies, 3335 children). There is moderate-certainty evidence that ECEC-based healthy eating interventions likely result in little to no difference in children's consumption of non-core (i.e. less healthy/discretionary) foods (SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.08; P = 0.48, I2 = 16%; 7 studies, 1369 children) or consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SMD -0.10, 95% CI -0.34 to 0.14; P = 0.41, I2 = 45%; 3 studies, 522 children). Thirty-six studies measured BMI, BMI z-score, weight, overweight and obesity, or waist circumference, or a combination of some or all of these. ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may result in little to no difference in child BMI (MD -0.08, 95% CI -0.23 to 0.07; P = 0.30, I2 = 65%; 15 studies, 3932 children) or in child BMI z-score (MD -0.03, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.03; P = 0.36, I2 = 0%; 17 studies; 4766 children). ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may decrease child weight (MD -0.23, 95% CI -0.49 to 0.03; P = 0.09, I2 = 0%; 9 studies, 2071 children) and risk of overweight and obesity (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.01; P = 0.07, I2 = 0%; 5 studies, 1070 children). ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may be cost-effective but the evidence is very uncertain (6 studies). ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may have little to no effect on adverse consequences but the evidence is very uncertain (3 studies). Few studies measured language and cognitive skills (n = 2), social/emotional outcomes (n = 2) and quality of life (n = 3). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may improve child diet quality slightly, but the evidence is very uncertain, and likely increase child fruit consumption slightly. There is uncertainty about the effect of ECEC-based healthy eating interventions on vegetable consumption. ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may result in little to no difference in child consumption of non-core foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. Healthy eating interventions could have favourable effects on child weight and risk of overweight and obesity, although there was little to no difference in BMI and BMI z-scores. Future studies exploring the impact of specific intervention components, and describing cost-effectiveness and adverse outcomes are needed to better understand how to maximise the impact of ECEC-based healthy eating interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze Lin Yoong
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Melanie Lum
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Luke Wolfenden
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Jacklyn Jackson
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Courtney Barnes
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Alix E Hall
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Sam McCrabb
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Nicole Pearson
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Cassandra Lane
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Jannah Z Jones
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Erin Nolan
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Lauren Dinour
- College of Education and Human Services, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, USA
| | - Therese McDonnell
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Debbie Booth
- Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Alice Grady
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
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Yoong SL, Lum M, Wolfenden L, Jackson J, Barnes C, Hall AE, McCrabb S, Pearson N, Lane C, Jones JZ, Dinour L, McDonnell T, Booth D, Grady A. Healthy eating interventions delivered in early childhood education and care settings for improving the diet of children aged six months to six years. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 6:CD013862. [PMID: 37306513 PMCID: PMC10259732 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013862.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary intake during early childhood can have implications on child health and developmental trajectories. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are recommended settings to deliver healthy eating interventions as they provide access to many children during this important period. Healthy eating interventions delivered in ECEC settings can include strategies targeting the curriculum (e.g. nutrition education), ethos and environment (e.g. menu modification) and partnerships (e.g. workshops for families). Despite guidelines supporting the delivery of healthy eating interventions in this setting, little is known about their impact on child health. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of healthy eating interventions delivered in ECEC settings for improving dietary intake in children aged six months to six years, relative to usual care, no intervention or an alternative, non-dietary intervention. Secondary objectives were to assess the impact of ECEC-based healthy eating interventions on physical outcomes (e.g. child body mass index (BMI), weight, waist circumference), language and cognitive outcomes, social/emotional and quality-of-life outcomes. We also report on cost and adverse consequences of ECEC-based healthy eating interventions. SEARCH METHODS We searched eight electronic databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, Scopus and SportDiscus on 24 February 2022. We searched reference lists of included studies, reference lists of relevant systematic reviews, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar, and contacted authors of relevant papers. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including cluster-RCTs, stepped-wedge RCTs, factorial RCTs, multiple baseline RCTs and randomised cross-over trials, of healthy eating interventions targeting children aged six months to six years that were conducted within the ECEC setting. ECEC settings included preschools, nurseries, kindergartens, long day care and family day care. To be included, studies had to include at least one intervention component targeting child diet within the ECEC setting and measure child dietary or physical outcomes, or both. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Pairs of review authors independently screened titles and abstracts and extracted study data. We assessed risk of bias for all studies against 12 criteria within RoB 1, which allows for consideration of how selection, performance, attrition, publication and reporting biases impact outcomes. We resolved discrepancies via consensus or by consulting a third review author. Where we identified studies with suitable data and homogeneity, we performed meta-analyses using a random-effects model; otherwise, we described findings using vote-counting approaches and via harvest plots. For measures with similar metrics, we calculated mean differences (MDs) for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes. We calculated standardised mean differences (SMDs) for primary and secondary outcomes where studies used different measures. We applied GRADE to assess certainty of evidence for dietary, cost and adverse outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: We included 52 studies that investigated 58 interventions (described across 96 articles). All studies were cluster-RCTs. Twenty-nine studies were large (≥ 400 participants) and 23 were small (< 400 participants). Of the 58 interventions, 43 targeted curriculum, 56 targeted ethos and environment, and 50 targeted partnerships. Thirty-eight interventions incorporated all three components. For the primary outcomes (dietary outcomes), we assessed 19 studies as overall high risk of bias, with performance and detection bias being most commonly judged as high risk of bias. ECEC-based healthy eating interventions versus usual practice or no intervention may have a positive effect on child diet quality (SMD 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04 to 0.65; P = 0.03, I2 = 91%; 6 studies, 1973 children) but the evidence is very uncertain. There is moderate-certainty evidence that ECEC-based healthy eating interventions likely increase children's consumption of fruit (SMD 0.11, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.18; P < 0.01, I2 = 0%; 11 studies, 2901 children). The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of ECEC-based healthy eating interventions on children's consumption of vegetables (SMD 0.12, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.25; P =0.08, I2 = 70%; 13 studies, 3335 children). There is moderate-certainty evidence that ECEC-based healthy eating interventions likely result in little to no difference in children's consumption of non-core (i.e. less healthy/discretionary) foods (SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.08; P = 0.48, I2 = 16%; 7 studies, 1369 children) or consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SMD -0.10, 95% CI -0.34 to 0.14; P = 0.41, I2 = 45%; 3 studies, 522 children). Thirty-six studies measured BMI, BMI z-score, weight, overweight and obesity, or waist circumference, or a combination of some or all of these. ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may result in little to no difference in child BMI (MD -0.08, 95% CI -0.23 to 0.07; P = 0.30, I2 = 65%; 15 studies, 3932 children) or in child BMI z-score (MD -0.03, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.03; P = 0.36, I2 = 0%; 17 studies; 4766 children). ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may decrease child weight (MD -0.23, 95% CI -0.49 to 0.03; P = 0.09, I2 = 0%; 9 studies, 2071 children) and risk of overweight and obesity (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.01; P = 0.07, I2 = 0%; 5 studies, 1070 children). ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may be cost-effective but the evidence is very uncertain (6 studies). ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may have little to no effect on adverse consequences but the evidence is very uncertain (3 studies). Few studies measured language and cognitive skills (n = 2), social/emotional outcomes (n = 2) and quality of life (n = 3). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may improve child diet quality slightly, but the evidence is very uncertain, and likely increase child fruit consumption slightly. There is uncertainty about the effect of ECEC-based healthy eating interventions on vegetable consumption. ECEC-based healthy eating interventions may result in little to no difference in child consumption of non-core foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. Healthy eating interventions could have favourable effects on child weight and risk of overweight and obesity, although there was little to no difference in BMI and BMI z-scores. Future studies exploring the impact of specific intervention components, and describing cost-effectiveness and adverse outcomes are needed to better understand how to maximise the impact of ECEC-based healthy eating interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze Lin Yoong
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Melanie Lum
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Luke Wolfenden
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Jacklyn Jackson
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Courtney Barnes
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Alix E Hall
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Sam McCrabb
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Nicole Pearson
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Cassandra Lane
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Jannah Z Jones
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Lauren Dinour
- College of Education and Human Services, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, USA
| | - Therese McDonnell
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Debbie Booth
- Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Alice Grady
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
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7
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Wang G, Zeng D, Zhang S, Hao Y, Zhang D, Liu Y. The Effect of Different Physical Exercise Programs on Physical Fitness among Preschool Children: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4254. [PMID: 36901266 PMCID: PMC10002293 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preschool children are in a period of rapid physical and psychological development, and improving their level of physical fitness is important for their health. To better develop the physical fitness of preschool children, it is very important to understand the behavioral attributes that promote the physical fitness of preschool children. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of and the differences between different physical exercise programs in improving preschool children's physical fitness. METHODS A total of 309 preschool children aged 4-5 years were recruited from 5 kindergartens to participate in the experiment. They were cluster-randomly allocated into five groups: basic movements (BM) group, rhythm activities (RA) group, ball games (BG) group, multiple activities (MA) group, and control (CG) group. The intervention groups received designed physical exercise programs with a duration of 30 min 3 times per week for 16 weeks. The CG group received unorganized physical activity (PA) with no interventions. The physical fitness of preschool children was measured using the PREFIT battery before and after the interventions. One-way analysis of variance, a nonparametric test; generalized linear models (GLM); and generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were used to examine differences during the pre-experimental stage among groups and to assess the differential effects of the intervention conditions on all outcome indicators. The intervention condition models were adjusted for potential confounders (baseline test results, age, gender, height, weight, and body mass index) explaining the main outcome variance. RESULTS The final sample consisted of 253 participants (girls 46.3%) with an average age of 4.55 ± 0.28 years: the BG group (n = 55), the RA group (n = 52), the BM group (n = 45), the MA group (n = 44), and the CG group (n = 57). The results of the generalized linear mixed model and generalized linear model analyses indicated significant differences for all physical fitness tests between groups, except for the 20 m shuttle run test and the sit-and-reach test after the interventions. Grip strength was significantly higher in the BG and MA groups than in the BM group. The scores for standing long jump were significantly higher in the MA group than in the other groups. The scores for the 10 m shuttle run test were significantly lower in the BG and MA groups than in the CG, BM, and RA groups. The scores for skip jump were significantly lower in the BG and MA groups than in the RA group. The scores for balance beam were significantly lower in the BG and MA groups than in the RA group and significantly lower in the BG group than in the BM group. The scores for standing on one foot were significantly higher in the BG and MA groups than in the CG and RA groups and significantly higher in the BM group than in the CG group. CONCLUSIONS Physical exercise programs designed for preschool physical education have positive effects on the physical fitness of preschool children. Compared with the exercise programs with a single project and action form, the comprehensive exercise programs with multiple action forms can better improve the physical fitness of preschool children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxu Wang
- School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
- College of Physical Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Dan Zeng
- College of Physical Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- National Institute of Sports Medicine, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shikun Zhang
- School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yingying Hao
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Danqing Zhang
- School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
- Shanghai Research Center for Physical Fitness and Health of Children and Adolescents, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
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8
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Sanchez-Lastra MA, Gómez JCD, Martínez-Lemos RI, Ayán C. Validity and reference values for the 3-minute shuttle run test in spanish preschoolers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 67:839-844. [PMID: 34709327 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20210091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to analyze the validity and provide normative values for the three-min shuttle run test in Spanish preschoolers. METHODS A total of 497 children (mean age 4.83±0.57 years; 47.8% girls) performed the three-min shuttle run test. Posttest body mass index and heart rate values were taken as internal validity indicators. RESULTS Age- and sex-specific percentiles for cardiorespiratory fitness were provided. Boys performed better than girls in the test. A significant association was observed between the total distance covered and heart rate (p=0.002). No correlation was found between body mass index and the test score, although the total distance covered by normal weight and obese children was significantly different (296.9 versus. 271.3 m; p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS This study provides age- and sex-specific cardiorespiratory fitness normative values for the three-min shuttle run test when performed by Spanish preschoolers. This test is an interesting option when the lack of resources limits the measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness in the preschool setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Adriano Sanchez-Lastra
- Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Didácticas Especiais, Facultade de Ciencias da Educación e do Deporte - Vigo, Spain
| | - José Carlos Diz Gómez
- Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Didácticas Especiais, Facultade de Ciencias da Educación e do Deporte - Vigo, Spain.,Well-Move Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute - Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Rodolfo Iván Martínez-Lemos
- Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Didácticas Especiais, Facultade de Ciencias da Educación e do Deporte - Vigo, Spain.,Well-Move Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute - Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Carlos Ayán
- Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Didácticas Especiais, Facultade de Ciencias da Educación e do Deporte - Vigo, Spain.,Well-Move Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute - Pontevedra, Spain
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9
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Mačak D, Popović B, Babić N, Cadenas-Sanchez C, Madić DM, Trajković N. The effects of daily physical activity intervention on physical fitness in preschool children. J Sports Sci 2021; 40:146-155. [PMID: 34533112 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2021.1978250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness in preschool children. A total of 72 children (36 boys) and 92 children (47 boys) composed the experimental (EG) and control group (CG), respectively. We used the PREFIT battery access physical fitness. In EG, participants had 45 minutes of organized physical activity 5 days per week. The CG continued their usual routine with 30 minutes of structured physical activity two times per week. The EG improved the mean performance of grip strength (η p2=0.08) and sit-ups in the 30s ( p2=0.16) to a significantly greater extent as compared to the CG. In boys, the improvements of mean performance of handgrip strength (η p2=0.13), 4x10m shuttle run η p2=0.09), standing long jump (η p2=0.05), sit-ups in 30s (η p2=0.17) were significantly greater in EG than in the CG. However, girls in EG only had significant improvements in the sit-ups in the 30 s test compared to CG (η p2=0.14). Overall, our study shows that after 6 months of daily exercise programme, preschool children improved muscular strength compared to those peers allocated in the control group. No significant differences between groups were found in the remaining fitness components analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Draženka Mačak
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Boris Popović
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nataša Babić
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez
- Institute for Innovation & Sustainable Development in Food Chain (Is-food), Public University Of, Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Dejan M Madić
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nebojša Trajković
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
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10
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Kieslinger K, Wartha O, Pollatos O, Steinacker JM, Kobel S. Parental Self-Efficacy-A Predictor of Children's Health Behaviors? Its Impact on Children's Physical Activity and Screen Media Use and Potential Interaction Effect Within a Health Promotion Program. Front Psychol 2021; 12:712796. [PMID: 34456826 PMCID: PMC8397494 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.712796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Insufficient physical activity (PA) and increased screen media use (SMU) can have detrimental effects on children's health. Parental self-efficacy (PSE) can act as an important predictor for a healthy upbringing. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of PSE on children's PA and SMU. Additionally, a moderating effect of PSE on the intervention effect of the health promotion program “Join the Healthy Boat” was examined. Using a prospective randomized controlled trial, 558 kindergarten children (3.6 years [SD = 0.6]) were examined. Data was collected using parental self-report. A significant influence of PSE on children's PA (B = 0.33, p = 0.025) and children's SMU (B = 0.42, p = 0.006) was found. The moderating effect of PSE on the intervention effect was neither significantly related to children's PA (p = 0.360) nor to children's SMU (p = 0.531). This confirms the importance of PSE on children's health development. Despite the lack of a moderating effect, interventions should also promote healthy activity behaviors and self-efficacy for parents in order to engage children in a healthy lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Kieslinger
- Department Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Olivia Wartha
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Centre of Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Olga Pollatos
- Department Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jürgen M Steinacker
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Centre of Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Susanne Kobel
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Centre of Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
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11
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Möhler R, Wartha O, Steinacker JM, Szagun B, Kobel S. Parental Self-Efficacy as a Predictor of Children's Nutrition and the Potential Mediator Effect between the Health Promotion Program "Join the Healthy Boat" and Children's Nutrition. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E9463. [PMID: 33348737 PMCID: PMC7766743 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Overweight and obesity, as well as their associated risk factors for diseases, are already prevalent in childhood and, therefore, promoting healthy eating is important. Parental self-efficacy (PSE) and early health-promotion can be helpful in promoting healthy eating. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of PSE on children's nutrition behavior and identify PSE as a mediator between an intervention and children's nutrition. The kindergarten-based health-promotion program "Join the Healthy Boat" was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial with 558 children (4.7 ± 0.6 years; 52.3% male) participating at both times. Linear and logistic regressions as well as mediation analyses with potential covariates such as parental outcome expectancies or parental nutrition were carried out using questionnaire data. In children, PSE was positively associated with fruit and vegetable intake (β = 0.237; p < 0.001) and showed a protective effect on soft drink consumption (OR 0.728; p = 0.002). Parental nutrition was a stronger predictor of children's intake of fruit, vegetables (β = 0.451; p < 0.001), and soft drinks (OR 7.188; p < 0.001). There was no mediator effect of PSE. However, outcome expectancies were associated with PSE (β = 0.169; p = 0.032). In conclusion, interventions should promote self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and healthy nutrition for parents as well in order to strengthen the healthy eating habits of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricarda Möhler
- Faculty Social Work, Health & Nursing, University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten, 88250 Weingarten, Germany; (R.M.); (B.S.)
| | - Olivia Wartha
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany; (O.W.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Jürgen Michael Steinacker
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany; (O.W.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Bertram Szagun
- Faculty Social Work, Health & Nursing, University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten, 88250 Weingarten, Germany; (R.M.); (B.S.)
| | - Susanne Kobel
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany; (O.W.); (J.M.S.)
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12
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Battaglia G, Giustino V, Tabacchi G, Alesi M, Galassi C, Modica C, Palma A, Bellafiore M. Effectiveness of a Physical Education Program on the Motor and Pre-literacy Skills of Preschoolers From the Training-To-Health Project: A Focus on Weight Status. Front Sports Act Living 2020; 2:579421. [PMID: 33367276 PMCID: PMC7750875 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2020.579421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies reported a positive relationship between motor skills, cognitive functions, and school performance in school-age children; however, little is known in preschool children. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a physical education program (PEP) on locomotor, object control skills, and pre-literacy cognitive functions in a wide population of preschoolers and verify whether weight status could influence these abilities. In the context of the Training-to-Health Project, a sample of 1,029 preschoolers was recruited in kindergartens from the urban area of Palermo (Italy). Their gross motor and pre-literacy skills were tested before (PRE) and after (POST) following 16 weeks (2 h/week) of a PEP, which included ludic-motor activities aimed at developing body awareness and fundamental motor and perceptual-sensory skills. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed to assess the skills before and after the intervention and to evaluate the effect of different categories of weight status on the examined variables. Regression analyses were conducted to confirm the hypothesized interrelationship between motor and pre-literacy skills in the considered sample. Both locomotor/object control and pre-literacy skills were significantly higher in children after the PEP (p < 0.05). We found 23% of overweight children and no significant difference between weight status classes in both PRE and POST PEP groups. In the POST group, higher locomotor and object control skills were mostly associated with better pre-literacy skills. This study shows that PEP was effective in improving both motor and pre-literacy skills in preschoolers independently from age and gender, while weight status did not affect these skills suggesting that this program can be administrated indifferently in children with different categories of weight status. Therefore, PEP could be a decisive education strategy to enhance motor and cognitive learning in preschool children and to achieve successful academic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Battaglia
- Department of Psychological, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Sport and Exercise Science Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valerio Giustino
- Department of Psychological, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Sport and Exercise Science Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Garden Tabacchi
- Department of Psychological, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Sport and Exercise Science Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marianna Alesi
- Department of Psychological, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia Galassi
- Department of Psychological, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Sport and Exercise Science Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carmen Modica
- Department of Psychological, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Palma
- Department of Psychological, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Sport and Exercise Science Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marianna Bellafiore
- Department of Psychological, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Sport and Exercise Science Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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13
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Kobel S, Henle L, Laemmle C, Wartha O, Szagun B, Steinacker JM. Intervention Effects of a Kindergarten-Based Health Promotion Programme on Motor Abilities in Early Childhood. Front Public Health 2020; 8:219. [PMID: 32695738 PMCID: PMC7339446 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Physical activity is positively related to motor abilities. Especially in childhood, an active lifestyle is important to support healthy motor development. The low-threshold health promotion programme "Join the Healthy Boat" in kindergartens promotes physical activity in order to also improve motor abilities. Here, effects of the programme on children's motor abilities after 1 year were investigated. Materials and Methods: The longitudinal study included 419 children (3.7 ± 0.6 years) from 58 kindergartens throughout south-west Germany (intervention: 254, control: 165). Children in the intervention group received physical activity promotion with a focus on motor ability development, led by teachers, through one kindergarten year; children in the control group followed the normal kindergarten routine. At baseline and follow-up, motor tests (3-min-run, one-leg-stand, standing long jump, sit-and-reach-test) were performed, anthropometric measures (body weight and height) were taken and a parental questionnaire was issued. Intervention effects were assessed using differential measures (follow-up - baseline) adjusted for gender, age, socioeconomic status (SES) and baseline values, with covariance analyses. Results: Children in the intervention group showed a significant improvement in endurance performance ( F ( 1 . 329 ) = 20 . 95 , p < 0 . 000 , η P 2 = 0 . 060 ) , which applies to boys ( F ( 1 , 172 ) = 13 , 66 , p ≤ 0 . 000 , η P 2 = 0 , 074 ) and girls ( F ( 1 , 152 ) = 7 , 48 , p ≤ 0 . 007 , η P 2 = 0 , 047 ) . No significant intervention effects on endurance performance were found for children with low baseline values, children with a low SES, and children aged 5 years, nor for any other assessed motor ability. Conclusions: The theory-based, teacher-centered intervention promoting physical activity in order to also improve motor abilities has shown a positive effect on endurance performance in kindergarten children, but no other motor ability. Future interventions should therefore be either longer, more intense and take into account children's age, initial level of performance and their SES. In addition, the influence of teachers should be considered more closely in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Kobel
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lea Henle
- Faculty Social Work, Health & Nursing, University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten, Weingarten, Germany
| | - Christine Laemmle
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Olivia Wartha
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Bertram Szagun
- Faculty Social Work, Health & Nursing, University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten, Weingarten, Germany
| | - Juergen Michael Steinacker
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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14
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Questions on 'Intervention effects of a kindergarten-based health promotion programme on obesity related behavioural outcomes and BMI percentiles'. Prev Med Rep 2020; 17:101022. [PMID: 32154090 PMCID: PMC7058642 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.101022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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