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

Abstract

BackgroundQualitative 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.MethodsMulti-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).ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsAlthough 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.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: Children's Perceptions, Factors of Influence, and Suggestions for Reducing Intake

“…However, this strategy is in contrast to parents' perceptions, because parents believe that the most effective strategy to reduce SSB consumption in younger children (preschoolers) is to model good behavior. 15 Regardless, parental involvement in education is vital because parents are naturally the most influential and trusted source of information for children about food. 38 Furthermore, because the home food environment is mainly associated with children's overall SSB consumption, 39 parental involvement and education are essential to reduce SSB consumption effectively in children.…”

“…11 To provide effective educational strategies to reduce SSB consumption in children, an in-depth understanding of their opinions and attitudes toward these beverages is needed. Whereas qualitative studies have been conducted with parents and teachers of preschoolers, adolescents, and young adults to elucidate attitudes toward and factors influencing SSB consumption, [12][13][14][15] to the authors' knowledge, to date, no study has assessed this qualitatively in children. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate (1) children's perceptions of SSBs, (2) factors influencing their SSB choice and consumption patterns, and (3) children's suggestions for reducing SSB consumption within their peer group.…”

Bevægelse i dagtilbud

“…Nedfaeldede politikker om bevaegelse og fysisk aktivitet øger børns daglige fysiske aktivitetsniveau og opnåelse af anbefalinger på området (Tonge et al, 2016). Paedagoger og foraeldre vurderer typisk maengden af børns fysiske aktivitet højere, end den i virkeligheden er De Craemer et al, 2013;Little & Sweller, 2015), og paedagogers vurdering af maengden af børns fysiske aktivitet kan indirekte have betydning for, hvor meget børn rent faktisk bevaeger sig. Paedagoger, der vurderer, at børn bevaeger sig tilstraekkeligt, har mindre fokus på, at børn skal bevaege sig yderligere (Coleman & Dyment, 2013).…”

Physical Activity–Related and Weather-Related Practices of Child Care Centers From 2 States

“…17–19 However, a recent qualitative study of child care providers from 6 European countries found that providers perceived children to be sufficiently active, and thought that increasing PA would hinder preparation for primary school, where children need to learn to sit still. 20 Modifiable playground characteristics, equipment use, and equipment availability were also related to the PA levels of young children. 17,21–25 …”