Developing Intervention Strategies to Optimise Body Composition in Early Childhood in South Africa

Area of Science:

• Pediatric health
• Childhood obesity
• Public health interventions

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a growing concern globally, including in South Africa.
• Preschool years are a critical period for establishing lifelong health behaviors.
• Optimizing body composition in early childhood is crucial for long-term well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gather data for developing effective intervention strategies to improve body composition in South African preschool children.
• To assess weight status, physical activity levels, and gross motor skills in preschool-aged children.
• To understand the perspectives of teachers and caregivers regarding physical activity and child development.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 341 children aged 3-6 years in urban and rural South African settings.
• Assessment of weight status, physical activity, and gross motor skills.
• Focus group discussions with 55 teachers and parents/caregivers.

Main Results:

• Overweight and obesity were identified as a concern, particularly in low-income urban settings (14%).
• Physical activity levels and gross motor skills were generally adequate across all settings.
• Teachers and caregivers expressed willingness to participate in activities promoting physical activity and gross motor skills.

Conclusions:

• Direct interventions to increase physical activity and gross motor skills may not be universally required.
• Contextually relevant physical activity programs can be valuable for promoting healthy weight.
• Interventions can leverage physical activity as a means to engage teachers and caregivers in broader child outcome promotion, including cognitive development.