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Applying the I ntervention M apping protocol to develop a kindergarten‐based, family‐involved intervention to increase E uropean preschool children's physical activity levels: the ToyBox ‐study
Author(s) -
De Craemer M.,
De Decker E.,
De Bourdeaudhuij I.,
Verloigne M.,
Duvinage K.,
Koletzko B.,
Ibrügger S.,
Kreichauf S.,
Grammatikaki E.,
Moreno L.,
Iotova V.,
Socha P.,
Szott K.,
Manios Y.,
Cardon G.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
obesity reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.845
H-Index - 162
eISSN - 1467-789X
pISSN - 1467-7881
DOI - 10.1111/obr.12180
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , psychological intervention , interpersonal communication , protocol (science) , physical activity , intervention mapping , psychology , developmental psychology , medicine , nursing , physical therapy , communication , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary Although sufficient physical activity is beneficial for preschoolers' health, activity levels in most preschoolers are low. As preschoolers spend a considerable amount of time at home and at kindergarten, interventions should target both environments to increase their activity levels. The aim of the current paper was to describe the six different steps of the I ntervention M apping protocol towards the systematic development and implementation of the physical activity component of the ToyBox ‐intervention. This intervention is a kindergarten‐based, family‐involved intervention implemented across six E uropean countries. Based on the results of literature reviews and focus groups with parents/caregivers and kindergarten teachers, matrices of change objectives were created. Then, theory‐based methods and practical strategies were selected to develop intervention materials at three different levels: ( i ) individual level (preschoolers); ( ii ) interpersonal level (parents/caregivers) and ( iii ) organizational level (teachers). This resulted in a standardized intervention with room for local and cultural adaptations in each participating country. Although the I ntervention M apping protocol is a time‐consuming process, using this systematic approach may lead to an increase in intervention effectiveness. The presented matrices of change objectives are useful for future programme planners to develop and implement an intervention based on the I ntervention M apping protocol to increase physical activity levels in preschoolers.