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Improving physical activity in daycare interventions
Marc Bonis1, Mark Loftin, Dianne Ward
11 School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , New Orleans, LA.
Insights
The Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) program significantly boosted physical activity in preschoolers. This intervention led to measurable improvements in moderate and vigorous activity levels during the school day.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Childhood Obesity Prevention
- Public Health Interventions
Background:
- Childhood physical activity is crucial for long-term health.
- Many daycare settings lack structured programs to promote activity.
- Objective measurement of physical activity in young children is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) program.
- To objectively measure changes in physical activity levels in preschool children.
- To determine if the NAP SACC program improves physical activity during the school day.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 26 daycare centers (13 treatment, 13 control).
- 209 children aged 3-5 years participated.
- Objective physical activity measurement using accelerometry over 6 months.
Main Results:
- The NAP SACC intervention group showed significant increases in moderate and vigorous physical activity compared to the control group.
- Total physical activity also significantly increased in the treatment group from pre- to post-intervention.
- No significant differences in height changes were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- The NAP SACC program effectively increases objectively measured physical activity levels in preschool children.
- Implementing NAP SACC in daycare settings leads to significant improvements in children's physical activity.
- The findings support the use of NAP SACC to promote healthier lifestyles in early childhood education settings.
Background:
The aim of the study was to objectively determine whether the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) program improved physical activity levels during the school day.
Methods:
The study compared the physical activity levels of subjects from 26 daycare centers, randomized into treatment (N=13) and control (N=13) groups. The subjects were 3 to 5 year olds (N=209, 104 males and 105 females; age [years]=3.85±0.8 [mean±standard deviation]), and accelerometry was used to determine the subjects' physical activity levels. Accelerometers were attached to each subject for 2 days before and immediately after a 6-month intervention. Height, mass, and waist were also measured.
Results:
Regression analyses indicated that the treatment group demonstrated significant increases in moderate and vigorous physical activity, as compared to the control group (F(1, 207)=6.3, p<0.05, Cohen's d=0.30; F(1, 207)=4.7, p<0.05, Cohen's d=0.25, respectively). The treatment group also showed significant increases in total physical activity (F(1, 218)=12.4; p<0.05) from pre- to post-test with significant increases in moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity (F(1, 218)=18.6, p<0.05; F(1, 218)=23.3, p<0.05, respectively). Regression analyses revealed significant increases in height for both groups from pre- to post-tests, but no differences were noted between groups.
Conclusions:
Implementation of the NAP SACC program in treatment daycare facilities resulted in significant increases in objectively measured physical activity levels, compared to the control group, demonstrating physical activity improvement in the treatment daycare centers.
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