Abstract
ObjectiveTo assess the effect of a governmentally-led center based child care physical activity program (Youp’là Bouge) on child motor skills.Patients and methodsWe conducted a single blinded cluster randomized controlled trial in 58 Swiss child care centers. Centers were randomly selected and 1:1 assigned to a control or intervention group. The intervention lasted from September 2009 to June 2010 and included training of the educators, adaptation of the child care built environment, parental involvement and daily physical activity. Motor skill was the primary outcome and body mass index (BMI), physical activity and quality of life secondary outcomes. The intervention implementation was also assessed.ResultsAt baseline, 648 children present on the motor test day were included (age 3.3 ± 0.6, BMI 16.3 ± 1.3 kg/m2, 13.2% overweight, 49% girls) and 313 received the intervention. Relative to children in the control group (n = 201), children in the intervention group (n = 187) showed no significant increase in motor skills (delta of mean change (95% confidence interval: -0.2 (−0.8 to 0.3), p = 0.43) or in any of the secondary outcomes. Not all child care centers implemented all the intervention components. Within the intervention group, several predictors were positively associated with trial outcomes: 1) free-access to a movement space and parental information session for motor skills 2) highly motivated and trained educators for BMI 3) free-access to a movement space and purchase of mobile equipment for physical activity (all p < 0.05).ConclusionThis “real-life” physical activity program in child care centers confirms the complexity of implementing an intervention outside a study setting and identified potentially relevant predictors that could improve future programs.Trial registrationClinical trials.gov NCT00967460
Highlights
Participating in an adequate amount of physical activity is beneficial for the health of children [1,2,3]
This “real-life” physical activity program in child care centers confirms the complexity of implementing an intervention outside a study setting and identified potentially relevant predictors that could improve future programs
As the first years of life are crucial in determining later lifestyle behaviors and health [12,13,14,15], child care centers have been identified as important settings to deliver physical activity interventions to improve motor skills and prevent obesity [16,17,18,19,20]
Summary
Participating in an adequate amount of physical activity is beneficial for the health of children (e.g. social development, obesity prevention, bone health) [1,2,3]. As the first years of life are crucial in determining later lifestyle behaviors and health [12,13,14,15], child care centers have been identified as important settings to deliver physical activity interventions to improve motor skills and prevent obesity [16,17,18,19,20]. They offer the advantage of involving a large number of young children and their educators are receptive for training [21].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
