title: Improving physical activity in daycare interventions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to objectively determine whether the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) program improved physical activity levels during the school day.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study compared the physical activity levels of subjects from 26 daycare centers, randomized into treatment (N=13) and control (N=13) groups. The subjects were 3 to 5 year olds (N=209, 104 males and 105 females; age [years]=3.85±0.8 [mean±standard deviation]), and accelerometry was used to determine the subjects' physical activity levels. Accelerometers were attached to each subject for 2 days before and immediately after a 6-month intervention. Height, mass, and waist were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression analyses indicated that the treatment group demonstrated significant increases in moderate and vigorous physical activity, as compared to the control group (F(1, 207)=6.3, p<0.05, Cohen's d=0.30; F(1, 207)=4.7, p<0.05, Cohen's d=0.25, respectively). The treatment group also showed significant increases in total physical activity (F(1, 218)=12.4; p<0.05) from pre- to post-test with significant increases in moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity (F(1, 218)=18.6, p<0.05; F(1, 218)=23.3, p<0.05, respectively). Regression analyses revealed significant increases in height for both groups from pre- to post-tests, but no differences were noted between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of the NAP SACC program in treatment daycare facilities resulted in significant increases in objectively measured physical activity levels, compared to the control group, demonstrating physical activity improvement in the treatment daycare centers.
authors: 1 School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , New Orleans, LA.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Bonis
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Loftin
authors: Dianne
authors: D
authors: Ward
authors: Tung Sung
authors: TS
authors: Tseng
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Clesi
authors: Melinda
authors: M
authors: Sothern
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement