Abstract
This paper describes the Increased Health and Wellbeing in Preschools (DAGIS) survey process and socioeconomic status (SES) differences in children’s energy balance-related behaviors (EBRBs), meaning physical activity, sedentary and dietary behaviors, and long-term stress that serve as the basis for the intervention development. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2015–2016 in 66 Finnish preschools in eight municipalities involving 864 children (3–6 years old). Parents, preschool personnel, and principals assessed environmental factors at home and preschool with questionnaires. Measurement of children’s EBRBs involved three-day food records, food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), seven-day accelerometer data, and seven-day sedentary behavior diaries. Children’s long-term stress was measured by hair cortisol concentration. Parental educational level (PEL) served as an indicator of SES. Children with low PEL had more screen time, more frequent consumption of sugary beverages and lower consumption of vegetables, fruit, and berries (VFB) than those with high PEL. Children with middle PEL had a higher risk of consuming sugary everyday foods than children with high PEL. No PEL differences were found in children’s physical activity, sedentary time, or long-term stress. The DAGIS intervention, aiming to diminish SES differences in preschool children’s EBRBs, needs to have a special focus on screen time and consumption of sugary foods and beverages, and VFB.
Highlights
Children’s energy balance-related behaviors (EBRBs), such as physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and food consumption, are important in determining children’s current and later health, including being overweight and obese [1,2]
EBRBs already seem prevalent among young children in Finland [3,4]; research conducted among preschool-aged children is scarce
This paper describes the comprehensive DAGIS survey examining EBRBs and long-term stress among preschool children, which serves as the basis of an intervention
Summary
Children’s energy balance-related behaviors (EBRBs), such as physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and food consumption, are important in determining children’s current and later health, including being overweight and obese [1,2]. EBRBs already seem prevalent among young children in Finland [3,4]; research conducted among preschool-aged children is scarce. Stress, measured both as imbalanced short-term stress regulation and long-term stress, is a direct predictor of obesity in children alongside EBRBs; stress may predict obesity through unhealthy EBRBs [5]. Long-term stress, similar to unhealthy EBRBs, is often more prevalent among children from low SES families [7]. Interventions aiming to decrease SES differences in both EBRBs and long-term stress should be conducted during the early years to prevent inequalities in health later in life. Research focusing on several levels and settings affecting preschoolers can more widely identify new modifiable factors to use in interventions promoting EBRBs and balanced stress regulation
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