Impact of a population based intervention to increase the adoption of multiple physical activity practices in centre based childcare services: a quasi experimental, effectiveness study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is considerable scope to improve the delivery of practices that increase the physical activity of children in centre based childcare services. Few studies have reported the effectiveness of interventions to address this, partic...

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Main Authors: Finch Meghan, Wolfenden Luke, Falkiner Maryann, Edenden Danielle, Pond Nicole, Hardy Louise L, Milat Andrew J, Wiggers John
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2012-08-01
Series:International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/9/1/101
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author Finch Meghan
Wolfenden Luke
Falkiner Maryann
Edenden Danielle
Pond Nicole
Hardy Louise L
Milat Andrew J
Wiggers John
author_facet Finch Meghan
Wolfenden Luke
Falkiner Maryann
Edenden Danielle
Pond Nicole
Hardy Louise L
Milat Andrew J
Wiggers John
author_sort Finch Meghan
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is considerable scope to improve the delivery of practices that increase the physical activity of children in centre based childcare services. Few studies have reported the effectiveness of interventions to address this, particularly at a population level. The primary aim of this study was to describe the impact of an intervention to increase the adoption of multiple policies and practices to promote physical activity in centre based childcare services.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A quasi experimental study was conducted in centre based childcare services (n =228) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia and involved a three month intervention to increase the adoption of eight practices within childcare services that have been suggested to promote child physical activity. Intervention strategies to support the adoption of practices included staff training, resources, incentives, follow-up support and performance monitoring and feedback. Randomly selected childcare services in the remainder of NSW acted as a comparison group (n = 164) and did not receive the intervention but may have been exposed to a concurrent NSW government healthy eating and physical activity initiative. Self reported information on physical activity policies, fundamental movement skills sessions, structured physical activity opportunities, staff involvement in active play and provision of verbal prompts to encourage physical activity, small screen recreation opportunities, sedentary time, and staff trained in physical activity were collected by telephone survey with childcare service managers at baseline and 18 months later.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared with the comparison area, the study found significantly greater increases in the prevalence of intervention services with a written physical activity policy, with policy referring to placing limits on small screen recreation, and with staff trained in physical activity. In addition, non-significant trends towards a greater increase in the proportion of intervention services conducting daily fundamental movement skill sessions, and such services having a physical activity policy supporting physical activity training for staff were also evident.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The intervention was effective in improving a number of centre based childcare service policies and practices associated with promoting child physical activity. Adoption of a broader range of practices may require more intensive and prolonged intervention support.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-7ee3ead3c94a4c22b7b7387f7d09cf5b2022-12-21T21:18:00ZengBMCInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity1479-58682012-08-019110110.1186/1479-5868-9-101Impact of a population based intervention to increase the adoption of multiple physical activity practices in centre based childcare services: a quasi experimental, effectiveness studyFinch MeghanWolfenden LukeFalkiner MaryannEdenden DaniellePond NicoleHardy Louise LMilat Andrew JWiggers John<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is considerable scope to improve the delivery of practices that increase the physical activity of children in centre based childcare services. Few studies have reported the effectiveness of interventions to address this, particularly at a population level. The primary aim of this study was to describe the impact of an intervention to increase the adoption of multiple policies and practices to promote physical activity in centre based childcare services.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A quasi experimental study was conducted in centre based childcare services (n =228) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia and involved a three month intervention to increase the adoption of eight practices within childcare services that have been suggested to promote child physical activity. Intervention strategies to support the adoption of practices included staff training, resources, incentives, follow-up support and performance monitoring and feedback. Randomly selected childcare services in the remainder of NSW acted as a comparison group (n = 164) and did not receive the intervention but may have been exposed to a concurrent NSW government healthy eating and physical activity initiative. Self reported information on physical activity policies, fundamental movement skills sessions, structured physical activity opportunities, staff involvement in active play and provision of verbal prompts to encourage physical activity, small screen recreation opportunities, sedentary time, and staff trained in physical activity were collected by telephone survey with childcare service managers at baseline and 18 months later.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared with the comparison area, the study found significantly greater increases in the prevalence of intervention services with a written physical activity policy, with policy referring to placing limits on small screen recreation, and with staff trained in physical activity. In addition, non-significant trends towards a greater increase in the proportion of intervention services conducting daily fundamental movement skill sessions, and such services having a physical activity policy supporting physical activity training for staff were also evident.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The intervention was effective in improving a number of centre based childcare service policies and practices associated with promoting child physical activity. Adoption of a broader range of practices may require more intensive and prolonged intervention support.</p>http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/9/1/101Daycare centersPreschoolChildcareChildrenPhysical activityPolicyPractice
spellingShingle Finch Meghan
Wolfenden Luke
Falkiner Maryann
Edenden Danielle
Pond Nicole
Hardy Louise L
Milat Andrew J
Wiggers John
Impact of a population based intervention to increase the adoption of multiple physical activity practices in centre based childcare services: a quasi experimental, effectiveness study
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Daycare centers
Preschool
Childcare
Children
Physical activity
Policy
Practice
title Impact of a population based intervention to increase the adoption of multiple physical activity practices in centre based childcare services: a quasi experimental, effectiveness study
title_full Impact of a population based intervention to increase the adoption of multiple physical activity practices in centre based childcare services: a quasi experimental, effectiveness study
title_fullStr Impact of a population based intervention to increase the adoption of multiple physical activity practices in centre based childcare services: a quasi experimental, effectiveness study
title_full_unstemmed Impact of a population based intervention to increase the adoption of multiple physical activity practices in centre based childcare services: a quasi experimental, effectiveness study
title_short Impact of a population based intervention to increase the adoption of multiple physical activity practices in centre based childcare services: a quasi experimental, effectiveness study
title_sort impact of a population based intervention to increase the adoption of multiple physical activity practices in centre based childcare services a quasi experimental effectiveness study
topic Daycare centers
Preschool
Childcare
Children
Physical activity
Policy
Practice
url http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/9/1/101
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