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Effectiveness of centre‐based childcare interventions in increasing child physical activity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis for policymakers and practitioners
Author(s) -
Finch M.,
Jones J.,
Yoong S.,
Wiggers J.,
Wolfenden L.
Publication year - 2016
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.12392
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , cinahl , psycinfo , medicine , meta analysis , strictly standardized mean difference , randomized controlled trial , medline , behavior change methods , physical therapy , confidence interval , adverse effect , nursing , political science , law
Summary Context The review describes the effectiveness of physical activity interventions implemented in centre‐based childcare services and (i) examines characteristics of interventions that may influence intervention effects; (ii) describes the effects of pragmatic interventions and non‐pragmatic interventions; (iii) assesses adverse effects; and (iv) describes cost‐effectiveness of interventions Methods Data sources were Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ERIC, CINAHL, SCOPUS and SPORTDISCUS. Studies selected included randomized controlled trials conducted in centre‐based childcare including an intervention to increase objectively measured physical activity in children aged less than 6 years. Data were converted into standardized mean difference (SMD) and analysed using a random effects model. Results Overall interventions significantly improved child physical activity (SMD 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12–0.76). Significant effects were found for interventions that included structured activity (SMD 0.53; 95% CI: 0.12–0.94), delivery by experts (SMD 1.26; 95% CI: 0.20–2.32) and used theory (SMD 0.76; 95% CI: 0.08–1.44). Non‐pragmatic (SMD 0.80; 95% CI: 0.12–1.48) but not pragmatic interventions (SMD 0.10; 95% CI:−0.13–0.33) improved child physical activity. One trial reported adverse events, and no trials reported cost data. Conclusions Intervention effectiveness varied according to intervention and trial design characteristics. Pragmatic trials were not effective, and information on cost and adverse effects was lacking. Evidence gaps remain for policymakers and practitioners regarding the effectiveness and feasibility of childcare‐based physical activity interventions.