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Child-care diet/activity RCT and zBMI

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A seven-month child-care nutrition and activity intervention significantly reduced children's zBMI versus control centers.

Source

Nutrition and physical activity randomized control trial in child care centers improves knowledge, policies, and children's body mass index

Alkon A, Crowley AA, Neelon SE, et al. · BMC public health · 2014

doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-215Read the full paper ↗92 citationscc by

Study at a glance

Design
RCT — Cluster RCT of nurse coach-supported nutrition/PA improvements in child care centres vs control
N
N=552 · 552 children aged 3–5 and 137 providers across CA, CT, and NC; seven-month trial
Population
Preschool children in US child care centres
Outcome
Change in child zBMI

Structured fields used in claim comparison tables when every cited study has a complete layer.

What they did

Child care centers in three US states were randomised to nurse coach-supported nutrition/physical-activity improvements versus control; children's zBMI and provider practices were compared.

What they found

Among 552 children and 137 providers, intervention versus control difference in mean zBMI change was significant (coeff -0.14; p=0.02).

The limits

What it doesn't show

Center-level randomisation with socioeconomic imbalances requires cautious causal inference; follow-up was short.

Key terms

zBMI
BMI standardised for child age and sex.
NAP SACC-style intervention
Nutrition and physical activity self-assessment coaching model.
Cluster RCT
Randomisation of centers rather than individuals.
CCHC
Child care health consultant/nurse coach.
Provider practices
Center policies and behaviours around food/activity.
Seven-month intervention
Program duration in this trial.

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Children N:

Common questions

Children N?

552.

zBMI effect?

coeff -0.14, p=0.02.

Duration?

Seven months.

States?

CA, CT, NC.

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