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

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.

Design: Nonrandomized controlled experimental study.

Setting: Head Start centers in Houston, Texas, 2009 to 2010 school year.

Participants: A total of 439 preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years (3 intervention centers, n = 220; 3 comparison centers, n = 219).

Intervention: The CATCH EC preschool-based teacher-led nutrition and PA program.

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.

Analysis: Pre-to-post changes in preschoolers' PA were examined using the Mann-Whitney U test.

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.

Conclusion: The CATCH EC favorably increased indoor vigorous PA level among low-income children attending Head Start.

Keywords: early childhood; intervention; low-income; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; obesity prevention; physical activity; preschooler.