Effects of a kindergarten-based intervention to promote healthy lifestyles: Quasi experimental study in Sousse, Tunisia

Abstract

Background and aims Little research has been devoted to preschool obesity prevention in Tunisia. Our purpose was to evaluate feasibility and effects of an intervention program for preschoolers and parents aiming to increase the proportion of children doing physical activity and those with balanced eating habits. Methods We carried out a quasi-experimental intervention study with two groups: A control group and an intervention group. The participants were preschoolers aged 4 to 5 years and their parents. In each group, we made a pre-post assessment of diet and physical activity habits. The intervention consisted in amultidimensional lifestyle intervention with training sessions, workshops, tournaments and educative supports. Results At baseline, 270 and 269 preschoolers composed respectively the intervention and control group. At the post-assessment, the number increased to respectively 347 and 230 preschoolers in intervention and control group. In the intervention group, 52.9% of themothers and 56.5% of the fathers were executive versus 37.1% and 43.5% respectively in the control group. In the intervention group, the proportion of children with balanced eating habits had significantly increased between baseline and post-assessment for both executive parents. The proportion of preschoolers doing physical activity outdoors the kindergarten was improved among executive mothers and fathers in the intervention group without significant change. In the control group, there was an increase observed only for executive fathers. Conclusions Significant changes of physical activity habits and diet characteristics were obtained in the intervention group unlike the control group. The socioeconomic status seems to be determinant in guiding intervention program.