Physical activity and beverage consumption in preschoolers: focus groups with parents and teachers

Episode von Medizin - Open Access LMU - Teil 21/22 von Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München · 1. Januar 2013

Background: Qualitative research is a method in which new ideas and strategies can be discovered. This qualitative study aimed to investigate parents' and teachers' opinions on physical activity and beverage consumption of preschool children. Through separate, independent focus groups, they expressed their perceptions on children's current physical activity and beverage consumption levels, factors that influence and enhance these behaviours, and anticipated barriers to making changes. Methods: Multi-cultural and multi-geographical focus groups were carried out in six European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Spain). In total, twenty-four focus groups with 122 parents and eighteen focus groups with 87 teachers were conducted between October 2010 and January 2011. Based on a semi-structured interview guide, questions on preschoolers' physical activity (opinions on preschoolers' physical activity, how to increase physical activity, facilitators and barriers of physical activity) and beverage consumption (rules and policies, factors influencing promotion of healthy drinking, recommendations for future intervention development) were asked. The information was analyzed using qualitative data analysis software (NVivo8). Results: The focus group results indicated misperceptions of caregivers on preschoolers' physical activity and beverage consumption levels. Caregivers perceived preschoolers as sufficiently active; they argue that children need to learn to sit still in preparation for primary school. At most preschools, children can drink only water. In some preschools sugar-sweetened beverages like chocolate milk or fruit juices, are also allowed. It was mentioned that sugar-sweetened beverages can be healthy due to mineral and vitamin content, although according to parents their daily intake is limited. These opinions resulted in low perceived needs to change behaviours. Conclusions: Although previous research shows need of change in obesity-related behaviours, the participants in the current study didn't perceive such. The awareness of parents and teachers needs to be raised concerning their shared responsibility about healthy behaviours in preschoolers. Providing preschool teachers with ready-to-use classroom material will encourage them to change physical activity and beverage consumption, and to implement related activities in the classroom. Involvement in activities that their children perform at preschool will motivate parents to extend these behaviours to the home environment.

Weitere Episoden von „Medizin - Open Access LMU - Teil 21/22“

• A genotype-specific, randomized controlled behavioral intervention to improve the neuroemotional outcome of cardiac surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial 1. Januar 2013
• A new web-based method for automated analysis of muscle histology 1. Januar 2013
• Acceptance of routine or case-based inquiry for intimate partner violence: a mixed method study 1. Januar 2013
• Activation of axonal Kv7 channels in human peripheral nerve by flupirtine but not placebo - therapeutic potential for peripheral neuropathies: results of a randomised controlled trial 1. Januar 2013
• Aequilibrium prudentis: on the necessity for ethics and policy studies in the scientific and technological education of medical professionals 1. Januar 2013
• An AUC-based permutation variable importance measure for random forests 1. Januar 2013
• Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix Saguenay (ARSACS): expanding the genetic, clinical and imaging spectrum 1. Januar 2013
• `Burden to others' as a public concern in advanced cancer: a comparative survey in seven European countries 1. Januar 2013
• Characterization of in vivo chemoresistant human hepatocellular carcinoma cells with transendothelial differentiation capacities 1. Januar 2013
• Conscious Presence and Self Control as a measure of situational awareness in soldiers - A validation study 1. Januar 2013
• Contrast enhanced transesophageal echocardiography in patients with atrial fibrillation referred to electrical cardioversion improves atrial thrombus detection and may reduce associated thromboembolic events 1. Januar 2013
• Current experience with applying the GRADE approach to public health interventions: an empirical study 1. Januar 2013
• Current management of patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia across Europe: outcomes from REACH 1. Januar 2013
• Diversity of the var gene family of Indonesian Plasmodium falciparum isolates 1. Januar 2013
• A comparative analysis of the properties of regulated promoter systems commonly used for recombinant gene expression in Escherichia coli 1. Januar 2013

Alle Episoden von Medizin - Open Access LMU - Teil 21/22 · Mehr Bildung-Podcasts