title: An intervention for improving the lifestyle habits of kindergarten children in Israel: a cluster-randomised controlled trial investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of an intervention programme to improve kindergarten children's eating and leisure habits in Israel.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cluster-randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six full-day kindergartens in Israel were randomly divided into three groups. Group A received the full intervention programme, which included lessons on good eating habits and daily physical exercise. Group B received a partial intervention of lessons only. Group C, the reference group, did not receive any intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children aged 4-6 years (n 204) were recruited for the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Objective data for weight and height were collected to calculate BMI Z-scores. Activity, sedentary time, sleeping hours and daily energy intake were assessed via a parental questionnaire. Nutritional knowledge was assessed by a single dietitian using a questionnaire addressed to the children. Assessments were done at baseline and at the end of the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for baseline levels we observed a significant reduction in daily energy intake for the full intervention group A (P = 0.03). A positive intervention effect was demonstrated on nutritional knowledge in the partial intervention group B (P = 0.03), although no significant change was demonstrated for BMI Z-score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study supports the incorporation of education on healthy lifestyle habits and physical activity into the curricula of kindergartens.
authors.affiliation: 1Women and Children's Health Research Unit,The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research,Ltd,Tel Hashomer,Israel52621.
authors.forename: Liat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lerner-Geva
authors.affiliation: 2Sackler Faculty of Medicine,Tel-Aviv University,Tel-Aviv,Israel.
authors.forename: Elinor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bar-Zvi
authors.affiliation: 1Women and Children's Health Research Unit,The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research,Ltd,Tel Hashomer,Israel52621.
authors.forename: Gila
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Levitan
authors.affiliation: 1Women and Children's Health Research Unit,The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research,Ltd,Tel Hashomer,Israel52621.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boyko
authors.affiliation: 1Women and Children's Health Research Unit,The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research,Ltd,Tel Hashomer,Israel52621.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reichman
authors.affiliation: 2Sackler Faculty of Medicine,Tel-Aviv University,Tel-Aviv,Israel.
authors.forename: Orit
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pinhas-Hamiel
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012890:Sleep; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Kindergarten; Nutrition; Obesity; Physical activity