Effectiveness of a parent-focused intervention targeting 24-hour movement behaviours in preschool-aged children: a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: Interventions focused on individual 24-hour movement behaviours (i.e., physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep) in preschool-aged children have been widely studied. However, integrated interventions targeting all three types of behaviours are poorly understood. A 12-week randomised controlled trial with another 12-week follow-up was conducted to assess the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at improving all three 24-hour movement behaviours.

METHODS: Parent–child dyads were randomly assigned to the integrated approach (targeting all three behaviours), the dyadic approach (targeting physical activity and sedentary behaviour), or the wait-list control group. The intervention included educational materials, workshops, and interactive questionnaires, and reminders. The primary outcomes were the preschoolers’ overall 24-hour movement behaviours, which were assessed by the Activity Sleep Index (ASI), composition of movement behaviours, and absolute duration of movement behaviours. Generalised estimating equations were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

RESULTS: One hundred and forty-seven preschoolers (4.8 ± 0.9 years, 56.5% boys) and their parents were included in the study. The preschoolers in all groups had a lower ASI at follow-up than at baseline. The preschoolers in the integrated approach group showed a smaller decline in ASI at follow-up than those in the control group (3.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.07, 6.76). The preschoolers in both intervention groups reported less reduction in physical activity relative to the other behaviours at follow-up, as well as a decrease in screen time post-intervention and at follow-up. No significant differences were found for sleep relative to the other behaviours. Furthermore, the preschoolers in the dyadic approach group reported a smaller increase in sedentary behaviour relative to the other behaviours than the control group (–0.21; 95% CI = –0.37, –0.05) at follow-up.

CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the two intervention approaches in improving physical activity relative to the other two movement behaviours and reducing screen time. This indicates the effectiveness of the integrated approach in promoting overall movement behaviours in preschoolers.