title: Applying the Intervention Mapping protocol to develop a kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention to increase European preschool children's physical activity levels: the ToyBox-study.
abstract: Although sufficient physical activity is beneficial for preschoolers' health, activity levels in most preschoolers are low. As preschoolers spend a considerable amount of time at home and at kindergarten, interventions should target both environments to increase their activity levels. The aim of the current paper was to describe the six different steps of the Intervention Mapping protocol towards the systematic development and implementation of the physical activity component of the ToyBox-intervention. This intervention is a kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention implemented across six European countries. Based on the results of literature reviews and focus groups with parents/caregivers and kindergarten teachers, matrices of change objectives were created. Then, theory-based methods and practical strategies were selected to develop intervention materials at three different levels: (i) individual level (preschoolers); (ii) interpersonal level (parents/caregivers) and (iii) organizational level (teachers). This resulted in a standardized intervention with room for local and cultural adaptations in each participating country. Although the Intervention Mapping protocol is a time-consuming process, using this systematic approach may lead to an increase in intervention effectiveness. The presented matrices of change objectives are useful for future programme planners to develop and implement an intervention based on the Intervention Mapping protocol to increase physical activity levels in preschoolers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Craemer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Decker
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Bourdeaudhuij
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verloigne
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duvinage
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koletzko
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ibrügger
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kreichauf
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grammatikaki
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Iotova
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Socha
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szott
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Manios
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cardon
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010988:Play and Playthings; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012572:School Health Services; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012931:Social Environment
keywords: Intervention Mapping protocol; physical activity; preschool child