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Does the CATCH Early Childhood Program Increase Physical Activity Among Low-Income Preschoolers?-Results From a Pilot
Ru-Jye Chuang1,2, Shreela V Sharma1,2, Cheryl Perry1,2,3
11 Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Insights
The Coordinated Approach to Child Health Early Childhood (CATCH EC) program successfully boosted indoor vigorous physical activity (PA) in preschoolers. This intervention positively impacted low-income children in Head Start centers.
Area of Science:
- Child Health
- Public Health Interventions
- Early Childhood Education
Background:
- Preschool physical activity is crucial for long-term health.
- Early childhood interventions can establish healthy habits.
- The Coordinated Approach to Child Health Early Childhood (CATCH EC) program targets nutrition and physical activity in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the physical activity (PA) component of the CATCH EC program increases preschoolers' PA.
- To evaluate the program's impact on PA levels during active preschool times.
Main Methods:
- A nonrandomized controlled experimental study was conducted in Head Start centers.
- 439 preschoolers (aged 3-5) participated across intervention and comparison groups.
- Preschoolers' PA was measured using direct observation (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time-Preschool version) before and after the intervention.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in low activity (level 2 PA) was observed in both intervention and comparison groups.
- Indoor vigorous physical activity significantly increased by +6.04% in the intervention group post-program.
- No significant change in indoor vigorous PA was found in the comparison group.
Conclusions:
- The CATCH EC program effectively increased indoor vigorous physical activity among preschoolers.
- The intervention showed a positive impact on the PA levels of low-income children in Head Start settings.
Purpose:
To explore whether the physical activity (PA) component of the Coordinated Approach to Child Health Early Childhood (CATCH EC) program helps increasing preschoolers' PA during active times at preschool.
Design:
Nonrandomized controlled experimental study.
Setting:
Head Start centers in Houston, Texas, 2009 to 2010 school year.
Participants:
A total of 439 preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years (3 intervention centers, n = 220; 3 comparison centers, n = 219).
Intervention:
The CATCH EC preschool-based teacher-led nutrition and PA program.
Measures:
Preschoolers' PA was measured at baseline and postintervention using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time-Preschool version, a direct observation method measuring PA at the classroom level. Parent surveys provided demographic data.
Analysis:
Pre-to-post changes in preschoolers' PA were examined using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Results:
Results show a significant decrease in the percentage time preschoolers spent in level 2 PA (low activity) at intervention ( P = .005) and comparison ( P = .041) centers. Indoor vigorous activity increased significantly on an average by +6.04% pre-to-post intervention among preschoolers in the intervention group ( P = .049); no significant change was found in the comparison group.
Conclusion:
The CATCH EC favorably increased indoor vigorous PA level among low-income children attending Head Start.