Impact of “JolinchenKids—Fit and Healthy in Daycare” on Children’s Objectively Measured Physical Activity: A Cluster-Controlled Study

Background To evaluate a multicomponent health promotion program targeting preschoolers' physical activity (PA). Methods PA of children from 23 German daycare facilities (DFs; 13 intervention DFs, 10 control DFs) was measured via accelerometry at baseline and after 12 months. Children's sedentary time, light PA, and moderate to vigorous PA were estimated. Adherence was tracked with paper-and-pencil calendars. Mixed-model regression analyses were used to assess intervention effects. Results PA data were analyzed from 183 (4.2 [0.8] y, 48.1% boys) children. At follow-up, children in DF groups with more than 50% adherence to PA intervention components showed an increase of 9 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA per day (β = 9.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.16 to 18.72) and a 19-minute decrease in sedentary time (β = -19.25; 95% CI, -43.66 to 5.16) compared with the control group, whereas children's PA of those who were exposed to no or less than 50% adherence remained unchanged (moderate to vigorous PA: β = 0.34; 95% CI, -13.73 to 14.41; sedentary time: β = 1.78; 95% CI, -26.54 to 30.09). Notable effects were found in children with migration background. Conclusions Only small benefits in PA outcomes were observed after 1 year. A minimum of 50% adherence to the intervention seems to be crucial for facilitating intervention effects.