Feasibility of the Mothers and Daughters Moving Together Physical Activity Intervention

Preschool-aged children, especially girls, have low levels of physical activity that may be influenced through parent role modeling. Evidence for mother-daughter interventions that include preschool-aged children is sparse. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of recruitment procedures, protocol compliance, and participant retention for the Mothers and Daughters Moving Together intervention. The secondary aim was to provide initial estimates of the intervention effect on mother-daughter and family physical activity co-participation, moderate to vigorous physical activity, and maternal physical activity enjoyment and support.

This nonrandomized feasibility study included mother-daughter (2-5 y) dyads who self-selected into the intervention (n = 21 dyads) or comparison (n = 10 dyads) group.

The recruitment rate was 41.9% (31 enrolled/74 interested). Intervention group mother-daughter dyads attended 57% of intervention sessions. Among the whole sample, 70% to 80% of participants (mothers and daughters) had at least 4 valid days of accelerometer data at preintervention and postintervention. The retention rate was 90% (28/31 dyads completed the study). Initial estimates of intervention effect indicated small, positive changes for mother-daughter physical activity co-participation, and maternal physical activity support and enjoyment.

This study provides valuable information that should be confirmed using an adequately powered and randomized study design.