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Differences in energy balance-related behaviours in European preschool children: the ToyBox-study

Marieke De Craemer1, Mina Lateva2, Violeta Iotova2

  • 1Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Plos One
|March 19, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Preschoolers

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Energy balance-related behaviors are crucial for child development.
  • Cross-cultural comparisons of these behaviors in preschoolers are essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare physical activity, sedentary behavior, and dietary habits in preschoolers across six European countries.
  • To identify country-specific differences in energy balance-related behaviors among young children.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 4,045 preschoolers aged 4-6 years from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland, and Spain.
  • Objective measurement of physical activity (steps/day) and parental questionnaires for sedentary behaviors (TV viewing, computer use, quiet play) and dietary habits (water, sugar-sweetened beverages, snacks).

Main Results:

  • Significant variations in physical activity levels were observed, with Spain showing the highest and Bulgaria/Greece the lowest.
  • Sedentary behavior differed, with Germany having the least TV viewing and Greece the most. Quiet play was highest in Poland and lowest in Spain.
  • Dietary patterns varied, with Belgian, German, and Polish children consuming less water and more sugar-sweetened beverages. Snack intake was highest in Belgium and lowest in Greece.

Conclusions:

  • Substantial differences in preschoolers' energy balance-related behaviors exist across European countries.
  • Future interventions should address these behaviors holistically but require country-specific tailoring for effectiveness.
Abstract

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