Evidence‐based recommendations for the development of obesity prevention programs targeted at preschool children

Abstract

The ToyBox intervention was developed using an evidence-based approach, using the findings of four reviews. These reviews included three critical and narrative reviews of educational strategies and psychological approaches explaining young children's acquisition and formation of energy-balance related behaviours, and the management of these behaviours, and also a systematic review of behavioural models underpinning school-based interventions in preschool and school settings for the prevention of obesity in children aged 4-6 years. This paper summarises and translates the findings from these reviews into practical evidence based recommendations for researchers and policy-makers to consider when developing and implementing interventions for the prevention of overweight and obesity in young (aged 4-6 years) children. The recommendations focus on two behaviours, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and healthy eating, and include general recommendations, intervention approaches, interventions content, and simple messages. The review also briefly examines the role that the commercial sector plays in hindering or facilitating attempts to create healthy food environments for children. This paper also recognises that childhood obesity is not an issue for the education sector alone; it needs to be tackled at a multi sectoral level, recognizing the particularly important role of local governments, nongovernment organizations and the media.

Prácticas de alimentación, actividad física y condición física de niños preescolares españoles. Influencia de variables sociodemográficas

“…En España, sucede la misma circunstancia que señalan otros autores 27 en relación con la AF en los colegios; así, aunque las escuelas pueden ofrecer oportunidades únicas para la AF estructurada, hay una tendencia a recortar las clases de Educación Física, debido a las presiones crecientes para mejorar los resultados académicos. Summerbell et al, 28 recomendaron una serie de orientaciones para intervenir en el ámbito de la AF en niños preescolares, como fomentar el transporte activo para distancias cortas, visitar los lugares donde los niños pueden ser activos, desalentar la provisión de pantallas en el dormitorio, fomentar la participación no competitiva en la AF, mejorar todas las áreas de juego infantiles, dotar de ropa cómoda, proporcionar juegos durante las pausas de las clases, alentar a los niños a ser activos y disminuir el tiempo de sedentarismo total en el aula.…”

Feeding practices, physical activity, and fitness in Spanish preschoolers. Influence of sociodemographic outcome measures

“…In Spain, the situation is the same as pointed out by other authors 27 in relation to PA at school; thus, although schools may offer a unique opportunity for structured PA, there is a tendency to cut off physical education classes in pursuit of improving academic outcomes. Summerbell et al 28 recommended a series of guidelines to conduct interventions in the setting of preschool PA, such as boosting active transportation for short distances, discouraging the installation of screens in the bedroom, promoting non-competitive PA, improving all playground areas, providing comfortable clothes, offering games during school breaks, encouraging children to be active, and reducing overall classroom sedentary time.…”

An intervention for improving the lifestyle habits of kindergarten children in Israel: a cluster-randomised controlled trial investigation

“…International efforts towards change in policy reflect the current trends in knowledge that, already at young age, obesity requires attention (8) . Intervention strategies that are multifaceted in nature are recommended to combat the obesogenic environments in which younger children find themselves in order to facilitate the development of desirable healthy behaviours (21,49,50) . This should take place within the wider context of a systems approach of tackling obesity (19,51) .…”