Feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a childcare-based intervention to reduce sitting time among...

Area of Science:

• Child Health
• Pediatric Intervention Studies
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Prolonged sitting time in preschoolers is a growing concern.
• Early childhood is a critical period for establishing lifelong physical activity habits.
• Childcare settings offer a unique environment to influence preschoolers' sedentary behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a childcare-based intervention designed to decrease sitting time in preschoolers.
• To explore the potential efficacy of this intervention on reducing total and prolonged sitting time.
• To examine the intervention's impact on executive function (EF) in young children.

Main Methods:

• A 3-month pilot cluster randomized controlled trial involving 115 preschoolers across four centers.
• Intervention feasibility and acceptability were evaluated through observations and interviews.
• Sitting time, breaks, and bouts were measured using activPAL accelerometers; EF was assessed using the Early Years Toolbox.

Main Results:

• The intervention demonstrated high fidelity and positive educator reception.
• Both intervention and control groups showed significant reductions in daily sitting time.
• No significant between-group differences in sitting time or executive function were detected.

Conclusions:

• Modifications to childcare environments, such as standing workstations, are feasible and acceptable.
• While the intervention was well-received, further modifications and longer trials are necessary to effectively reduce preschooler sitting time.
• Current findings suggest that broader environmental changes may be required for significant impact on sedentary behavior in early childhood.