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Herr RM, Diehl K, Schneider S, Osenbruegge N, Memmer N, Sachse S, Hoffmann S, Wachtler B, Herke M, Pischke CR, Novelli A, Hilger-Kolb J. Which Meso-Level Characteristics of Early Childhood Education and Care Centers Are Associated with Health, Health Behavior, and Well-Being of Young Children? Findings of a Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:4973. [PMID: 34067043 PMCID: PMC8125417 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Characteristics of early childhood education and care (ECEC) centers might be relevant for children's health. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the association between meso-level characteristics (MLCs) of ECEC centers with children's health, health behavior, and wellbeing. Five databases were searched for quantitative and qualitative research articles published in English or German since 1 January 2000 on health, health behavior, and wellbeing of children aged 0 to 6 years considering MLCs of ECEC centers. Two authors screened 10,396 potentially eligible manuscripts and identified 117 papers, including 3077 examinations of the association between MLCs and children's health indicators (Kappas > 0.91). Five categories of MLCs were identified: (1) structural characteristics, (2) equipment/furnishings, (3) location, (4) facilities/environment, (5) culture/activities/policies/practices, and 6) staff. Only very few studies found an association of MLCs with body weight/obesity, and general health and wellbeing. Especially physical activity and mental health were related to MLCs. In general, the location (rural vs. urban, neighborhood status) seemed to be a relevant health aspect. MLCs of ECEC centers appeared relevant for child health indicators to different degrees. Future research should focus on these associations, in detail, to identify concrete ECEC indicators that can support health promotion in early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael M. Herr
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (K.D.); (S.S.); (N.O.); (N.M.); (J.H.-K.)
| | - Katharina Diehl
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (K.D.); (S.S.); (N.O.); (N.M.); (J.H.-K.)
| | - Sven Schneider
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (K.D.); (S.S.); (N.O.); (N.M.); (J.H.-K.)
| | - Nina Osenbruegge
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (K.D.); (S.S.); (N.O.); (N.M.); (J.H.-K.)
| | - Nicole Memmer
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (K.D.); (S.S.); (N.O.); (N.M.); (J.H.-K.)
| | - Steffi Sachse
- Institute of Psychology, University of Education Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Stephanie Hoffmann
- Department of Public Health, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany;
| | - Benjamin Wachtler
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, 12101 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Max Herke
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany;
| | - Claudia R. Pischke
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Center for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
| | - Anna Novelli
- Chair of Health Economics, Technical University of Munich, 80992 Munich, Germany;
| | - Jennifer Hilger-Kolb
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (K.D.); (S.S.); (N.O.); (N.M.); (J.H.-K.)
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The Associations Between Environmental Characteristics of Early Childhood Education and Care Centers and 1-Year Change in Toddlers' Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior. J Phys Act Health 2019; 16:1000-1006. [PMID: 31476735 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2019-0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined the associations between environmental characteristics of early childhood education and care (ECEC) centers and 1-year change in toddlers' physical activity and sedentary behavior while at the centers. METHODS Data from 292 toddlers from the GET-UP! study were analyzed. Environmental characteristics of ECEC centers were rated using the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-revised edition at baseline. Children's physical activity and sedentary behavior in the centers were assessed using activPAL devices, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Linear mixed models were performed to examine the associations between the environmental characteristics and change in the proportion of time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior. RESULTS Compared with baseline, children spent a higher proportion of time in sedentary behavior (sitting) but a lower proportion of time in standing and physical activity (stepping) while at ECEC centers, at 1-year follow-up. The environmental characteristics "interaction" (B = -1.39; P = .01) and "program structure" (B = -1.15; P = .04) were negatively associated with change in the proportion of time spent in physical activity. CONCLUSION Better "interaction" and "program structure" may preclude children's physical activity from declining over time and may be considered important features to target in future interventions in ECEC centers aiming at promoting active lifestyles.
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