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Does the CATCH Early Childhood Program Increase Physical Activity Among Low-Income Preschoolers?-Results From a Pilot Study.

Authors :
Chuang RJ
Sharma SV
Perry C
Diamond P
Source :
American journal of health promotion : AJHP [Am J Health Promot] 2018 Feb; Vol. 32 (2), pp. 344-348. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Mar 30.
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

Purpose: To explore whether the physical activity (PA) component of the Coordinated Approach to Child Health Early Childhood (CATCH EC) program helps increasing preschoolers' PA during active times at preschool.<br />Design: Nonrandomized controlled experimental study.<br />Setting: Head Start centers in Houston, Texas, 2009 to 2010 school year.<br />Participants: A total of 439 preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years (3 intervention centers, n = 220; 3 comparison centers, n = 219).<br />Intervention: The CATCH EC preschool-based teacher-led nutrition and PA program.<br />Measures: Preschoolers' PA was measured at baseline and postintervention using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time-Preschool version, a direct observation method measuring PA at the classroom level. Parent surveys provided demographic data.<br />Analysis: Pre-to-post changes in preschoolers' PA were examined using the Mann-Whitney U test.<br />Results: Results show a significant decrease in the percentage time preschoolers spent in level 2 PA (low activity) at intervention ( P = .005) and comparison ( P = .041) centers. Indoor vigorous activity increased significantly on an average by +6.04% pre-to-post intervention among preschoolers in the intervention group ( P = .049); no significant change was found in the comparison group.<br />Conclusion: The CATCH EC favorably increased indoor vigorous PA level among low-income children attending Head Start.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2168-6602
Volume :
32
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
American journal of health promotion : AJHP
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
28355884
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117117700952