Co-construct, implement and evaluate an intervention to prevent a sedentary lifestyle in children

Abstract

Abstract Background In children a sedentary lifestyle is associated with the development of chronic diseases, as well as unfavorable body composition and physical condition, lower levels of self-esteem, sociability, and school results. In Europe 39,8% of children (6-9 years) spend on average more than 2h/day in front of a screen, and 14,6% over 3h/day. In this context, designing and testing effective interventions to decrease sedentary behavior in children is a major public health research gap. The CIPRES intervention aims to reduce sedentary time in school-age children (7-10 years). Methods The CIPRES intervention is co-constructed with key local actors, by using a socio-ecological approach, and theory-based on the transcontextual model. The intervention is evaluated by a cluster-randomized controlled study currently ongoing. The target population is made up of 1000 children from 13 primary schools (in years 4-5) from southeast of France with different levels of social deprivation. Main outcomes are assessed by accelerometer and questionnaires before (T0) and after a six-week intervention (T1) and include sedentary behavior, physical activity (PA) and variables of the transcontextual model. Results Preliminary data were available in 152 children (53 intervention and 99 control). There was no significant difference across the time in sedentary time between intervention and control group (p = 0.11; η2=0,017); however, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) tended to be better in intervention vs control (p = 0.06; η2=0,023). In the intervention group, sedentary time and MVPA were significantly better across the time (p = 0.028 and p = 0.011, respectively) for children having a father with a university diploma as compared to children having a father with a lower education level. Conclusions Preliminary results on a small group of subjects (n = 152) are encouraging and suggest a positive impact of the intervention on children. More results will be available by summer 2022. Key messages • Based on the socio-ecological model, the CIPRES intervention aims to prevent sedentary in school-aged children. • Preliminary data suggests a favorable impact of the intervention on physical activity.