Impact of “JolinchenKids—Fit and Healthy in Daycare” on Children’s Objectively Measured Physical Activity: A Cluster-Controlled Study

Abstract

Background: To evaluate a multicomponent health promotion program targeting preschoolers’ physical activity (PA). Methods: PA of children from 23 German daycare facilities (DFs; 13 intervention DFs, 10 control DFs) was measured via accelerometry at baseline and after 12 months. Children’s sedentary time, light PA, and moderate to vigorous PA were estimated. Adherence was tracked with paper-and-pencil calendars. Mixed-model regression analyses were used to assess intervention effects. Results: PA data were analyzed from 183 (4.2 [0.8] y, 48.1% boys) children. At follow-up, children in DF groups with more than 50% adherence to PA intervention components showed an increase of 9 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA per day (β = 9.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.16 to 18.72) and a 19-minute decrease in sedentary time (β = −19.25; 95% CI, −43.66 to 5.16) compared with the control group, whereas children’s PA of those who were exposed to no or less than 50% adherence remained unchanged (moderate to vigorous PA: β = 0.34; 95% CI, −13.73 to 14.41; sedentary time: β = 1.78; 95% CI, −26.54 to 30.09). Notable effects were found in children with migration background. Conclusions: Only small benefits in PA outcomes were observed after 1 year. A minimum of 50% adherence to the intervention seems to be crucial for facilitating intervention effects.

The Effectiveness of Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Time in Different Target Groups and Settings in Germany: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Recommendations on Interventions

“…The main characteristics of the 15 included studies are summarized in Table 1 . In two instances [ 88 , 89 ], the authors referred to an additional paper containing more detailed information on the respective study [ 90 , 91 ]. Of the 15 included studies, 14 studies [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 85 , 87 , 88 , 89 ] were published in peer-reviewed journals, 14 were written in English [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 85 , 87 , 88 , 89 ] and one [ 86 ] in German.…”

“…In two instances [ 88 , 89 ], the authors referred to an additional paper containing more detailed information on the respective study [ 90 , 91 ]. Of the 15 included studies, 14 studies [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 85 , 87 , 88 , 89 ] were published in peer-reviewed journals, 14 were written in English [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 85 , 87 , 88 , 89 ] and one [ 86 ] in German. The country of origin was Germany for 13 studies [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 ] and Belgium [ 89 ] and the UK [ 72 ] for one study each.…”

“…One study [ 72 ] did not report the exact number of participants included. One study focused on toddlers [ 89 ], three on preschoolers [ 75 , 88 , 89 ], three on school children [ 78 , 87 , 89 ], one on teenagers [ 76 ], two on adults [ 70 , 72 ], three on older adults [ 69 , 71 , 77 ], one on office workers [ 85 ] and three on people with chronic diseases [ 73 , 74 , 86 ].…”

“…The intervention duration was less than six months in nine studies [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 73 , 74 , 76 , 85 , 86 , 87 ], at least six months but less than twelve months in three cases [ 72 , 75 , 77 ] and it lasted twelve months or longer in three studies [ 78 , 88 , 89 ]. Five studies encompassed follow-up after the outcome assessment at the end of the intervention to assess long-term effects [ 70 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 86 ].…”

“…Five studies encompassed follow-up after the outcome assessment at the end of the intervention to assess long-term effects [ 70 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 86 ]. Six studies examined multicomponent interventions [ 75 , 76 , 78 , 85 , 88 , 89 ], eight studies focused on personal behavior interventions [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 77 , 86 ] and one targeted the physical environment [ 87 ]. No study examined the social environment.…”